ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow Region. Aug 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The first launch under the Air Launch (Vozdushny Start) project is scheduled for early 2006, the project's spokesman Leonid Shirobokov said at the MAKS-2003 Air Show on Thursday.
"Air Launch is a totally new project and envisions a entirely new procedure for launching satellites, with carrier rockets taking off from airplanes. This idea will soon to be put into practice," Shirobokov said.
One of the project's main advantages is that "the launch pad" will be delivered to the customer. The customer will also be able to watch how his satellite is attached to the carrier rocket.
He noted that this project will make it possible to launch various types of satellites up to four tonnes in weight.