How Rockets Are Made at the Progress Plant

The factory which would go on to become the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center dates its history back to 1894. The Dux bicycle factory based in Moscow was nationalized after the Russian Revolution and was later turned into an aircraft manufacturer. During the Second World War, the plant was evacuated to the city now called Samara. The company started assembling rockets later on in its history.

Each assembled rocket is delivered to a control and testing station, where electric tests are conducted and control systems are also checked. All systems are subsequently checked as a single whole during simulated launches. The rocket is then switched off, painted, crated and delivered to a space launch facility.

It takes about a month to assemble each rocket. All launch vehicles of the Soyuz family are assembled inside this workshop.

All large components are moved around on special wheeled carts. Bulky parts are carried on dedicated rail tracks. Various assembly areas are color-coded on the floor.

Workers use this instrument to check the rocket has been configured correctly. Each component should be in exactly the right place. Every last screw is accounted for in special technical manual. Three people – a production worker, a foreman and a controller – are responsible for every process. Clients ordering the rockets sometimes oversee particularly important operations.

In all, the assembly workshop employs about 400 people, including engineers, construction electricians and machine fitters. Although the professional titles may sound trivial, these people are highly specialized.

In all, the assembly workshop employs about 400 people, including engineers, construction electricians and machine fitters. Although the professional titles may sound trivial, these people are highly specialized.

The rocket assembly workshop is the length of four football fields and is the height of a nine-story building.