Eurockot Launch Services, a Bremen, Germany-based company marketing the Rockot, is a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Moscow-based Khrunichev enterprise. Khrunichev builds both Rockot and Proton boosters.

The new launch plan

Rockot's launch from Plesetsk was originally planned for January but was delayed by an accident on December 22, when a control system error inadvertently turned on power that set off explosive bolts and released the protective shroud surrounding the payload.

Rockot's January launch was to be equipped with a Breeze-K upper stage, delivering an RVSN-40 experimental satellite for Russian Strategic Missile Forces. The accident, however, caused Khrunichev to return the Breeze-K upper stage back to its Moscow facility for testing and possible repairs.

When the Breeze-K was dropped, Eurockot then decided to use a commercial version of the Rockot's upper stage, known as Breeze-KM, for the test launch. The new stage is equipped with a wider interface for a payload, which allows delivery of multiple satellites.

"Now, we will be able to validate all the hardware planned for commercial operations: the launch complex, the booster, the upper stage and delivery of the multiple payloads," Dr Kinnersley said Tuesday.

The Iridium connection

Eurockot officials would not comment on the specifics of the launch payload, but information has surfaced on the Internet. A space archive web site run by Small World Communications' Steven Pietrobon suggests that Eurockot may launch Iridium dummy satellites.

Dr. Matthias Oehm, director of contracts and finance at Eurockot, confirmed Tuesday that two Iridium communications satellites remain the first commercial payloads for the Rockot booster, and they are currently planned for a Plesetsk launch in the second quarter of this year.

Iridium, a cellular phone company, declared bankruptcy last year. But the company continues to operate while it undergoes restructuring. Dr. Oehm said that Eurockot may know by mid-February if Iridium will survive and if the company will proceed with the Rockot launch. The launch is now partially-financed.

"I think it is very unlikely (that) such a big company will be completely scrapped," Dr. Oehm said.

If Iridium does go out of business, NASA's pair of GRACE science satellites will be the next commercial payload to be delivered into space by Eurockot in June 2001.

Dr. Oehm said additional customers may order Rockot launches in the near future.

Baikonur plans

Eurockot also confirmed Tuesday its plans to renovate silo #175/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Russia's main launch facility, for Rockot launches. These renovation plans come in the midst of political turmoil surrounding the launch center, leased to Russia by Kazakhstan.

During Russian-Kazakh talks following a July Proton booster crash, Khrunichev Director Uriy Kiselev warned Kazakhstan that the company intended to scrap its plans to launch Rockot-type boosters from Kazakhstan.

Without the Baikonur launch site, Eurockot would not be able to fulfill a contract it signed with Arizona-based Leo-One to deliver 56 communications satellites. While Khrunichev never officially reversed its decision to cancel operations from Baikonur, Dr. Oehm confirmed that high-ranking Khrunichev officials have assured Eurockot they are committed to launch from Baikonur.

Eurockot has plans to upgrade the Baikonur launch site for Rockot operations. The modifications would allow the silo to meet acoustic requirements for potentially sensitive payloads. The company also plans to build a new railway that would link the silo with facility 92-A-50, located in the western end of Baikonur. While the Rockot booster itself can be delivered to the silo by road vehicles, the commercial payloads require a railway.

Eurockot has already spent about $40 million to renovate the surface launch pad in Plesetsk previously used for the Cosmos-3M launcher, used by the Russian military. Dr. Kinnersley would not disclose the cost of renovations to the Baikonur silo complex, but he said it would be much less expensive than constructing an entirely new launch complex. Kinnersley said the company estimates it will take about 18-21 months to complete all the renovations.

The first Rockot launches with the Leo One satellites are not expected before 2002. Both Eurockot and Leo One representatives confirmed this week that demonstrational launches from Baikonur will take place before any commercial payloads are launched.