russian/soviet stage seperators

[rdem]

i was curious about the stage seperators on russian rockets which are looking like they're not very aerodynamic efficient. they are probably used because they are lighter. and the additional drag is not that much.

pics of some russian rockets: 

https://www.google.com/search?q=soyuz&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjd_daGiYjPAhWEtRQKHRqYAj0Q_AUICSgC&biw=1920&bih=955#tbm=isch&q=soyuz+rocket

https://www.google.com/search?q=n1+rocket&biw=1920&bih=955&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwit0beYiojPAhWDWBQKHcveBaQQ_AUIBygC

Edited September 11, 2016 by rdem

[peadar1987]

They're used because Russian rockets "hot stage". They fire the upper stage motors shortly before the lower stage burns out and separation occurs. If this happened inside a fairing you would most likely not go to space today.

US rockets tend to "cold stage" with the upper stage motors inactive, then fire small motors called "ullage motors" to give the rocket a small acceleration. This causes fuel to flow into the turbopumps so the next stage can be fired a few seconds later.

Edited September 11, 2016 by peadar1987

[Ten Key]

The Titan II GLV used for the Gemini launches also "hot staged", and had exhaust ports on the interstage for the same reason. 

 

 

[Kartoffelkuchen]

On 12.9.2016 at 5:16 AM, Ten Key said:

The Titan II GLV used for the Gemini launches also "hot staged", and had exhaust ports on the interstage for the same reason. 

 

 

That's the coolest stage-sep video I've ever seen, honestly! The way that fairing breaks, so kerbal!