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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 1874.PDF
SPACEFLIGHT Strela launcher set for first fight RUSSIA'S NPO Mashinos-troyenia will flight test its Strela launch vehicle with a dummy payload in the first half of next year, followed by the launch of its first Kondor-E-series micro- satellite. The Strela and Kondor-E will be commercially available by the end of 2002. At the same time rival Ukrainian developer NPO Yuzhnoye is developing its Mayak launch vehi cles based on technology from the Zenit 2 booster. NPO Mash's Strela is a conver sion of the SS-19 (RS-18/UR- 100N) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), more than 150 of which have been launched. Withdrawn from service under the SALT-II arms treaty, the redundant ICBMs require minor modification to deliver a 1,500kg (3,3001b) payload into low orbits. Like its Khrunichev Rokot com petitor, the Strela uses the SS-19's first and second stages but a differ ent third stage. The Strela uses parts of the SS-19's third stage - includingthe engine and trajectory control system, which is based largely on the ICBM's systems - but has a redesigned payload cone. Priced at $9 million per launch, the Strela will fly from Baikonur and Svobodny cosmodromes. NPO Mash is also developing the lightweight 800kg Kondor-E satellite based on the UKP univer sal space platform. The satellite family will include electro-optical (EO) and radar surveillance satel lites. The EO satellite will be equipped with a telescope capable of being aimed at ground targets within a 1,200km (650nm) strip from a 550km high orbit, covering a 12km-wide swath. Visual spec trum images will be downloadable in realtime using a digital datalink. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, NPO Yuzhnoye is developing the Mayak 12 as the first launcher in a new family. The Mayak 12 will be pow ered by two NPO Energomash RD-120 engines, with a second stage using one RD-120 and a third stage powered by a Yuzhnoye RD- 8. First flight of the launcher, able to place 1,700kg into 500km, sun- synchronous orbit, is planned in about 2005. A larger Mayak 23 would be able to loft 3,000kg into geostationary transfer orbit. Yuzhnoye says it is considering launch sites at Alcantara, Brazil and Overberg, South Africa. Russia and the Ukraine, mean while, are discussing the use of the Dnepr launcher, a converted SS-18 ICBM to carry constellations of seven small satellites. Commercial operator Kosmotras will charge $6-8 million per launch. It is esti mated that over 150 SS-18s are available for conversion. J NEWS IN BRIEF • INDIA UPRATES GSLV The Indian Space Research Organisation is considering development of an uprated Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) capable of placing 6,000kg (13,2 001b) into geostationary transfer orbit. The GSLV Mk3 would follow the Rus sian upper stage-equipped Mkl, which has flown once, and the Mk2, which will fea ture an Indian-developed cryogenic upper stage. The MK3 will comprise two 200t-thrust (890kN) solid rocket boosters and a core stage with two Vikas liquid propellant engines. • MORE INTELSATS Intelsat plans to order 17 communication satellites between2004and2009,11 to replace older 700 and 800 series satellites, while six will introduce dedicated broad band communications ser vices. Meanwhile, the Intelsat APR-3 satellite, due to be launched by a Chinese Long March 3 B in 2 002, may be switched to an Ariane booster, as it has yet to receive a US export licence. Artemis gets date with Ariane 5 Doubts over who will launch Artemis have been resolved THE EUROPEAN Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis advanced telecommunications satellite will be launched on an Ariane 5 booster on 12 July. The confirmation of Artemis as a payload ends a number of launch er changes for the satellite, which was originally due to be carried by an Ariane 5, then switched to Japan's H2A booster, but reverted to Arianespace because of delays in the Japanese programme. Artemis will be launched with Japan's BSAT-2b on mission VI42 from Kourou, French Guiana. The Astrium-built Artemis multi-purpose advanced commu nications applications technology demonstrator will be part of Europe's satellite navigation sys tem: the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System and Galileo. It will also provide mobile communications and inter-satellite data relay services, including Ka- band data relay from ESAs Envisat environmental monitoring space craft. Artemis will have xenon ion propulsion thrusters. The VI42 launch will be preced ed by the VI41 flight of an Ariane 44L carrying Intelsat 901, while V143 is scheduled for another 44L launch in early August, carrying Intelsat 902. ' • Russian deal furthers Australia's ambitions THE AUSTRALIAN Gov ernment has furthered its aim of establishing the country as a major player in the international space launch market following the signing of a co-operation agree ment with Russia. The deal is aimed at clearing the way for two new ventures - Asia Pacific Space Centre and Spacelift - to establish launch facilities in Australia. Both plan to use Russian launch vehicles never befote deployed outside the CIS. Nick Minchin, Australia's min ister for industry, science and re sources, says the agreement will "facilitate the start of proposed space launch projects by providing for the transfer of information and technology between our two countries". It was signed by Minchin and Russian Aviation and Space Industry director general Yuri Koptev, and addresses issues such as intellectual property, liabilities and security of technology. Minchin says several non- Russian ventures are also interest ed in launching from Australia, and forecasts the space industry will contribute A$2.5 billion ($1.3 bil lion) to its balance of payments by 2010, creating "several thousand" new jobs. • 30 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 29 May - 4 June 2001
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