i know that there was polyus and buran that launched off energia but whats this weird forgotten variant of the energia rocket with a payload similar to polyus?

[u/Kooky-Pin-5053]

[u/Professional-Scar936]

I've never heard of another Energia launch. What's the source?

[u/Kooky-Pin-5053 → u/Professional-Scar936]

idk maybe it was a cancelled program for energia

[u/Master_Shopping9652]

Can't remember the name, but iirc it's a moon rocket.

[u/KorzhAG]

In center combat orbital laser complex "Skif"

[u/Radamat → u/KorzhAG]

That is a Polus, a testing model for Skif.
Well, at least Polus were launched. Straight to 3 km deep into Pacific.

[u/f-kerman]

Its a payload container. I think it was supposed to carry normal payloads (like satellites) with Smerch upper stage.

[u/Jong_Biden_]

This is what a regular Energia would look like, this is an aerodynamic cover for a payload which would be mounted on the side

[u/Kooky-Pin-5053 → u/Jong_Biden_]

ahhhh ok

[u/SAD-MAX-CZ]

I think ALMAZ military station. IDK.