MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Soyuz-2-1B rocket does not need a special launch pad and will blastoff from the Plesetsk spaceport at the end of 2011, CSKB-Progress General Director Alexander Kirillin said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-AVN.
"We have pledged to launch the first light rocket at the end of next year. Contracts have been signed with the suppliers of the NK-33 engine, the control system, the telemetric system and other components," he said.
The rough design may be approved on June 17-18, Kirillin said.
"The light rocket will be in demand. Besides, it will use existing launch infrastructure," he said. "There are three Soyuz launch pads in Plesetsk and two in Baikonur."
The third and fourth Plesetsk launchers have been examined for the possible launching of the Soyuz-2-1B, he said. "We are considering possible remodeling two launch pads for the Soyuz-2, including the Soyuz-2-1B," he said.