The Rockot Launch System

Abstract

Rockot can launch satellites weighing up to 1850 kg into polar, Sun synchronous (SSO) or other low Earth orbits (LEO). The Rockot launch vehicle is based on the former Russian SS-19 strategic missile. The first and second stages are inherited from the SS-19, the third stage Breeze has been newly developed and is characterized by a multiple ignition capability. The Rockot launcher is flight proven and marketed by Eurockot. Eurockot Launch Services GmbH was founded by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany (now Astrium) and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center of Russia (KSRQ to offer world-wide cost-effective launch services on the Rockot launch system. Trie extremely high flexibility of both the payload accommodation and the launch system allows a fast service - a nominal launch campaign lasts about 20 working days. The high degree of maturity of the launch vehicle and the launch system contribute to its competitively fair price.

Customer-oriented developments of the launcher include an enlarged payload fairing providing more space for satellites and a flattened equipment bay for accommodating several spacecraft. The Commercial Demonstration Flight (CDF) marks the debut of Eurockot Launch Service’s commercial operations with this newly configured Rockot launch vehicle. The mission successfully launched two identical satellite simulators, SIMSAT-1 and −2, into a near polar orbit using a typical LEO mission profile from the newly commissioned Eurockot launch facilities at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia on 16^th May 2000.