CORONA (rocket)

CORONA is a single-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle capable of performing vertical takeoff and landing. It was developed by OAO GRTs Makeyev from 1992 to 2012. However, the development was declined due to lack of funding. In 2016, the company announced plans to resume the development of the CORONA vehicle.

Overview
CORONA is intended for launching payloads to low Earth orbit with an altitude of 200 - 500 km. It has a launch mass of 280 - 290 t and is intended for launching payloads weighing up to 7 t with traditional use or up to 12 t with a special scheme for launching into low Earth orbit. However, the payload capacity goes down to 6 t and up to 11 t respectively when launching from Russia. With the use of reusable boosters that form a launch complex with it, the launch vehicle provides launching into orbits with an inclination of up to 110° up to altitudes of 10,000 km and returning from them if necessary.