MOSCOW -- Russian liquid-fueled booster rockets might replace the solid-fueled motors now in use on the heavy lifting Ariane 5 launched by the Europeans, according to Yuri Koptev, Rosaviakosmos General Director.

Koptev hopes that pooling Russian and European efforts in spacecraft design and construction will considerably lower the cost of delivering satellites into space.

One of the projects under joint consideration is the upgrade of the Ariane 5 heavy launch vehicle. This vehicle may get Russian reusable Baikal-type boosters for its first stage instead of the disposable boosters currently in use, Koptev said.

Baikal's total lift off weight is 143.7 tons (130.4 metric tons). Its dry weight is 19.6 tons (17.8 metric tons). Baikal uses oxygen-kerosene as a fuel for its rocket and kerosene for its air breathing jet engine.

The jet engine is employed for the return of the booster to its launch site.

The main rocket engine develops 196 tons of thrust at the sea level while the jet engine develops 5 tons of thrust.

Baikal's fuel capacity provides the booster with 255 miles (410 kilometers) of autonomous flight capability at 304 miles per hour (490 kilometers per hour). Its landing speed is 174 miles per hour (280 kilometers per hour) and its rollout distance on the runway does not exceed 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).