Russia might launch one or two "Rokot" booster rockets in 2011
Russia suspended the launches of this type of rocket from the Plesetsk cosmodrome after a faulty accelerator unit placed the GEO-IK 2 satellite into off-design orbit in the beginning of 2011. "Problems with the "Rokot" occurred outside of radio visibility from the Russian territory," Popovkin reminded journalists, "so we cannot name a definite cause of the irregular operation of the accelerator unit."
Before resuming the launches of "Rokots," it is necessary to run a range of checks. "By the end of this year we'll launch one, possibly two rockets of this type," Popovkin said.
Roskosmos and space agencies of a number of countries have set up a working group to determine the immediate goals of space exploration. "Space exploration should have the high goal to which we should strive. It should be both ambitious and feasible through international cooperation."
The recent meetings with space agency chiefs were devoted to "determining this objective."
"We set up a working group including experts from Roskosmos, the USA's NASA, Europe's ESA and the space agencies of France and Germany whose task is to formulate this objective and determining the key stages in attaining it.
"Certain elements related to reaching this objective, should become part of the Russian space program. This concerns the delivery vehicles intended for the Vostochny cosmodrome, to avoid the situation where these booster rockets will not be needed," the Roskosmos chief said.
According to Popovkin, the new Russian Soyuz-1 light class booster rocket will be launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the first half of 2012. He named two reasons behind the postponement of the fist launch of the Soyuz-1, initially planned for 2011.
"Firstly, it is necessary to carry out firing trials of the rocket. Secondly, the payload, i.e. the "Lomonosov" satellite of the Moscow State University, is not ready yet. It should be ready in April 2012.
"As for the Angara advance light class booster, its first trial launch is scheduled for 2013. Prior to that, we plan one launch of the South Korean KSLV-I booster, equipped with the first stage of the Angara.
"The Defense Ministry settled all the issues of funding the construction of the Angara launch complex at the Plesetsk cosmodrome," Popovkin said.
Russia might use the Briz-M accelerator unit to launch a Proton-M booster with three GLONASS satellites from the Baikonur cosmodrome later this year. The accelerator unit will replace the DM-03 model. In December 2010, Russia lost three GLONASS satellites because of DM-03 refueling.
"This year, there is possibility to launch a Proton from Baikonur with three GLONASS units. A decision has been made that the Proton will be equipped with a Briz-M unit. This decision is now being coordinated at the Defense Ministry.
"As for the DM-03 unit, it is undergoing scheduled procedures, which will take some time," the Roskosmos director said.
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