Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 10-12-2008 04:21 AM
Out of curiosity, what happens to the four strap-ons on the Soyuz rocket, aside from crashing to the ground? Are they collected and recycled? If for every Soyuz launched, there are four rocket stages "on the ground", it must be pretty messy (borderline hazardous?) downrange, no?
Chris.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2008 04:30 AM
The strap-on boosters are not reused, but their metal content is recycled. Scrap metal dealers located in the region collect and sell the deconstructed remains.
cspg Member
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 10-12-2008 09:52 AM
Ah thanks! I vaguely remember a story of spent rocket stages (flown out of Plesetsk?) which contained remaining toxic fuels - but that doesn't apply to the Soyuz.