Space: November 4, 2004

Archives

Russia will now launch all of its military satellites from its Plesetsk facility, near the Arctic circle. While Plesetsks location is good for some types of launches (high inclination, polar, and highly elliptical orbits), the place is frozen most of the year, and more expensive to operate because of the weather. But since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the other major launch site, Baikonur, is in the newly minted Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan, has become more expensive and difficult to use. Russia has leased the Baikonur complex from Kazakhstan since 1991, but this has already led to some disputes over lease terms, and the danger to locals from launch accidents. The Russians need the Baikonur launch site, as it is very efficient for some types of launchers (geostationary, lunar, planetary, and ocean surveillance missions, as well as all manned missions). So, to be on the safe side, all military launches will move north. Plesetsk is currently the worlds busiest launch center, and has averaged about 35 launches a year since 1966. 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close