So we got what is likely a thrust manifold from Rubezh’s (SS-X-31) post-boost vehicle and what are probably RCS propellant canisters. Also have what is probably the internal structure of the aft end of two reentry vehicles. Orthogrid indicates those are not external surfaces. - ThreadSky

johnridge.bsky.social • 104 days ago

So we got what is likely a thrust manifold from Rubezh’s (SS-X-31) post-boost vehicle and what are probably RCS propellant canisters.

Also have what is probably the internal structure of the aft end of two reentry vehicles. Orthogrid indicates those are not external surfaces.

1 / 4

Comments

mexipeinski.bsky.social•104 days ago

Is it an SS-x-31 because a NSC official denounced this claim? Also from 2024 DIA report :

johnridge.bsky.social•104 days ago

Unless there is another IRBM the Russians have developed in secrecy, it’s likely Rubezh.

Remember our intelligence assessments are not omniscient. We get things wrong with frequency. It’s the nature of intelligence work. (U) products also may not reflect what is known at (S), (TS), or (TS//SCI).

linkplumeria.bsky.social•104 days ago

This might be the first time I've seen actually good welds on something Russian lol

linkplumeria.bsky.social•104 days ago

To elaborate, this doesn't look like something put together in a rush. You can have welds that don't look particularly pretty that are still perfectly functional. If it is a system in development, it looks like something very far down the dev cycle and close to production

johnridge.bsky.social•104 days ago

Consider that most of this is just serial production YaRS hardware

linkplumeria.bsky.social•104 days ago

Good point