It was a member of the Zenit family of rockets, which were designed by the Yuzhmash.

The Zenit 2M was a modernised version of the Zenit-2, incorporating modifications and upgrades made to the design for the Sea Launch programme.

Launches conducted by Roskosmos or the Russian Space Forces use the designation 2M.

The designation 2SB can also be applied to the rocket when it is being used as part of a larger vehicle, such as the Zenit-3SLB.

[4] The second launch, carrying the Fobos-Grunt and Yinghuo-1 spacecraft, was conducted on 8 November 2011, using a modified configuration designated the Zenit-2FG.