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Krunichev
Ready to Build Light Angara / Launch Complex Holding Up Production
Khrunichev Space
Center plans to carry out the first launch of a light class Angara
rocket in 2003. All of the technical documentation concerning the
Angara has been completed, the production facility has been prepared
and all that remains is to start assembly of the rocket. Even though
the light Angara rockets can enter production now, its launch
complex is far from complete. The Russian Defense Ministry is
responsible for construction of the launch complex but has been
moving at a very slow pace. No funds have been provided for the
construction. Krunichev has repeatedly contacted top government
institutions on the issue, but so far to no avail.
In a few years,
launch complexes at Baikonur will “exhaust their safety
warranties” and their renovation will require considerable
financing. Anatoly Kiselyov, Krunichev’s recently retired General
Director said, “if we fail to design a launch facility for the
Angara in the next year or two and do not begin to launch it or
‘teach it to fly’, then we will be left behind our competitors
on the world market of space services.”
In
the future, Krunichev plans to produce light, medium and heavy class
Angara rockets. It has taken engineers five years to develop the
modular Angara design. A rocket powered by two engines will be in
the light class, one with four engines in the medium class and one
with six in the heavy class.
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