Khrunichev

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Proton rocket manufactured by Khrunichev

Khrunichev State Space Scientific Production Center (ГКНПЦ им. М. В. Хруничева in Russian) is a Moscow-based producer of space-launch systems. It is named after Mikhail Khrunichev - a soviet minister.

The Khrunichev plant was established during World War II. as Factory No. 23, to produce heavy bomber aircraft, and continued in this role during the 50s. In 1951, it was augmented by the addition of OKB-23, the factory's own design bureau.

The plant's involvement with space and missile technology began in 1960, when OKB-23 was placed under the control of Vladimir Chelomei's OKB-52 bureau, which specialised in the design of both cruise and ballistic missiles. OKB-23 was designated Branch No.1, while the plant was redesignated the Khrunichev Machine-Building Plant. Under Chelomei, the plant was responsible for a series of ballistic missiles and heavy launch vehicles carrying the UR- designation:

the UR-100 ('Sego') ICBM
the UR-100N ('Stilleto') ICBM
the UR-200, a heavy ICBM which never entered service
the UR-500 super-heavy ICBM, which later became the Proton rocket

Khrunichev was transferred to the Salyut Design Bureau in the late seventies, then between 1981 and 1988 was part of NPO Energia. It became an independent entity in 1988.

Khrunichev is also part of the International Lauch Services (ILS) joint venture with the Lockheed Martin.