Rumors of a sale over at Satnews:http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=1803212071
"The reports that an Israeli company is planning to buy the Sea Launch project are not true. We have received no proposals on the Sea Launch purchase," the company’s CEO Sergey Gugkayev told ITAR-TASS.
Russia’s new Angara rocket may replace Ukraine’s Zenit in Sea Launch project — sourcehttp://itar-tass.com/en/non-political/771080Is that even possible? Wouldn't it require rebuilding both odyssey and commander from scratch?
Considering both ships were designed around using the Zenit, it would take a complete rebuild of them to use something else.
Quote from: owais.usmani on 01/14/2015 12:32 pmRussia’s new Angara rocket may replace Ukraine’s Zenit in Sea Launch project — sourcehttp://itar-tass.com/en/non-political/771080Is that even possible? Wouldn't it require rebuilding both odyssey and commander from scratch? Russia is famous for floating all kinds of ideas, only to see them end up nowhere.
Sea Launch might be better off converting a new launch platform and scrapped the current one. Which was originally build by a Japanese shipyard in 1982! There is plenty of surplus oil platforms available. Of course with either the current or new platform, does the Russians have the cash to preparations and operations of the service?Also where is the service hardware is going to be home port? Operating from a non-US port will have ITAR issues. Especially in the current geopolitical climate.
The LP was "designed" for a lifetime of 75 launches. I'm sure it could do more because, as you say, it's somewhat over designed.
If it ever were to be used again, that would be for the benefit of those who were involved for the prior launch.But since that launch, a lot has happened that change the economics that they would be competing with. It might not be worth the trouble to resurrect, but to scrap.And given the performance of SeaLaunch end-to-end, I doubt this will be tried again. This era has ended.
Quote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 01/20/2015 10:22 pmIf it ever were to be used again, that would be for the benefit of those who were involved for the prior launch.But since that launch, a lot has happened that change the economics that they would be competing with. It might not be worth the trouble to resurrect, but to scrap.And given the performance of SeaLaunch end-to-end, I doubt this will be tried again. This era has ended.Are you familiar with this phrase? "It ain't over until the fat lady sings"The era ends when SeaLaunch announces they will fold permanently.