On November 14, 2019, Proton-PM (an NPO Energomash subsidiary, part of Roscosmos) conducted the final test of the RD-276 liquid-fuel rocket engine.

The first stage Proton heavy-class carrier rocket engines (RD-253, RD-275, RD-276) have been produced by Proton-PM since 1965. The latest higher-powered engine modification was introduced into production in 2005 with Proton-PM manufacturing over 90 sets of engines and conducted about 770 firing tests since then with over 3,000 first stage engines manufactured throughout the history of production.

Proton-PM Executive Director Dmitry Shchenyatskiy: “RD-276 is a legendary engine being in operation for more than 60 years. It has proven to be the most reliable in its class, while Proton carrier rocket has launched over 420 times! Today we are working on the RD-191 perspective engine for Angara rockets, with the engine production to start in 2023. The company’s task is not only to repeat its achievements, but overcome them – ensuring the highest quality and reliability, as well as competitiveness.”

RD-276 was designed by NPO Energomash against order of Khrunichev Center (Proton carrier rockets manufacturer). The engine reliability factor is 0.998 – throughout the years of its operation it has had no failures during the flight, which is a unique case in rocket engine manufacturing.