PLYESETSK (Arkhangelsk region), November 19 (AVN) -Preparations for the Rokot class light rocket-carrier first launch starts in Plesetsk cosmodrome start complex.
Anatoly Kiselyov, the general director of the Khrunichev space centre told the Military News Agency that Rokot is to start in the end of this year.
By 2006 specialists plan to orbit on 300-1500 kilometres up to 1000 light communication satellites, satellites for the Earth distant sounding, navigation, etc.
Khrunichev centre specialists offer the Rokot three-staged carrier for this purpose.
Rokot is designed on the basic of the SS-19 secure ballistic transoceanic rocket by placing Briz-K/KM highly manoeuvrable upper stage.
Eurockot Launch Services GmbH, Russian-German joint stock venture organised by Khrunichev centre and Dimler-Crusler Aerospace corporation is to be responsible for the Rokot commercial usage, Kiselev added.