June 5,
2008: A converted Russian ICBM put
several Russian military satellites into orbit recently. For the last three
years, Russia has been offering cheap ($15 million per shot) satellite launch
services using converted ICBMs. After developing a new third stage, the Russian
"Rokot" (demilitarized SS-19 ICBMs) are available for use as low cost
launchers. The Russian price comes out to about $3,400 per pound of stuff put
into space. This is a third of the rate when using a regular commercial
launchers.
Each Rokot
launch can put about 1.9 tons into low orbit. This is sufficient for many
commercial satellites, and is especially handy for the increasing number of
communications and photo satellites going up. The Russians will have a lock on
this low cost market until the end of the decade, when their supply of Cold War
surplus ICBMs run out, and equally cheap commercial launchers (in development) come
on the market. The United States has a similar satellite launching program,
using recycled Minuteman 2 ICBMs, to put half a ton into low earth orbit. These
are launched from a space port off the coast of Virginia.
The
success of these programs has led to developing alternative "warheads" for
existing ICBMs and SLBMs (sea launched ICBMs), that would contain small
military satellites. These would be for photography, communications, electronic
warfare or whatever. Mainly, it would be for stuff that had to get into orbit
fast.
