The gugkaev: the project "Sea launch" looking for a replacement Ukrainian rocket " Zenit "
Elizabeth Isakov. The conclusion about the possible replacement of the launch vehicle "Zenit-3SL" Ukrainian Yuzhmash for the project "Sea launch" has the ability to be taken over one or Two months, said in an interview Last news Director General organization of Sea Launch SA Sergey Gugkaev.
"The issue of replacing (rocket" Zenit-3SL " Ukrainian production) is currently being discussed. But any decisions by the Board of Directors as long as were not adopted. We believe that the study may take one to Two months, " he said.
According to Gugkaev, currently considered various options boosters to replace the " Zenit-3SL ", and among them, the Russian production. Technical characteristics of these boosters are required to be able to bring to geotransfer orbit to 6 ton payload.
"in fact any missile can be run with the" Sea launch ". Just need to have a serious adaptation of this rocket to the platform and command ship. That is, replace the system, interfaces, and so on. Two main questions - how long it will take time and how much it will cost, " said the Gugkaev.
Answering the Question about What will happen in the near future to resolve the Issue with the Ukrainian side on " Zenit-3SL ", Director General of Sea Launch SA drew attention that the Firm currently maintains contacts with Ukrainian colleagues, "however, the Question of the future "Yuzhmash" largely depends on the decisions of the Ukrainian government ".
now a unique floating Baikonur launch Sea launch Sea Launch), designed for commercial launches of launch vehicle Zenit-3SL with satellites from a mobile launch platform from the Equatorial Pacific ocean, preserved until 2016.
international cartel "Sea launch" was created in 1995. The headquarters of the organization Sea Launch SA is located in Nyon (Switzerland).
The Carrier rocket Zenit-3SL " consists of a two-stage launch vehicle Zenit-2S and block DM-SL production of RSC Energia. The carrier is able to output in low earth orbit from eleven to fifteen tons payload, the transition to the geostationary orbit - six tons into geostationary orbit - 2, 8 tons.