That doesn't look like a typical American missile silo launch. Do they use some kind of hydraulics to lift the missile out of the silo and then ignite the engine?
There's a good description of the launch process, including diagram, at:
http://www.kosmotras.ru/Follow the "Dnepr LV, Mission Profile" links.
Basically, a solid propellant gas generator creates high pressure in the silo, popping the missile (carried by a "tray" that is pushed aside once out of the silo by side-firing rockets) out of the silo.
- Ed Kyle
http://www.kosmotras.ru/2000.htm#inf32Appeared on russian version of kosmotras site. Sorry for machine translation.
Accuracy of the orbital placing satellites "RapidEye"
After operative processing of telemetry information is calculated features to accuracy of the orbital placing satellites "RapidEye" launched 29.08.2008 (7:15:53.783 UTC) from cosmodrome Baikonur.
In contrast with estimated parameters of the orbit accuracy has formed: on semi-major axis (the height) 660 m for satellite 1 and 70 metres for satellite 5, separated last; on orbit's eccentricity accuracy has formed: 0,00008; on inclination of the orbit: 0,004 degrees.
Message is received from the first stage's region of fall, about, that stage was lowered for estimated center of the ellipse of the diffusing on distance 2500 m on range and 400 m on lateral component.
Accuracy of the satellites orbital placing has exclusive importance for minimization of the expenses of fuel on undertaking the correction of the orbit. Particularly this required for satellites, forming united orbital group, for group "RapidEye" in particular.
LOL. Kosmotras can't find engine from the first stage of used Dnepr LV. The stage was found w/o main engine, i.e. only tanks. They sent fax, where asking commentary for the such "anomaly" from Dnepropetrovsk. W/o engine they have troubles to sign papers with Kazakhs, that drop area was "cleared" from "waste".
"Engine sought, missing since Aug 29, good reward. If you have any information, contact Kosmotras"
An entepreneurial shepard with a blowtorch at hand, or perhaps the engine wasn't too securely welded and flew away while the stage was falling? I'd be interested to know... but the situation is just cheesy!
LOL. Kosmotras can't find engine from the first stage of used Dnepr LV. The stage was found w/o main engine, i.e. only tanks. They sent fax, where asking commentary for the such "anomaly" from Dnepropetrovsk. W/o engine they have troubles to sign papers with Kazakhs, that drop area was "cleared" from "waste".
Excuse my ignorance, what could be the side effects to Kazak-Rus relations from the drop zone issue aspect, if ISCK cannot find the engine?
Well, maybe you know, that people in Kazakhstan and their government already long time don't like all these tons of UDMH/NTO flying and falling on their heads. They insisting that all "stinky" rockets will be grounded as fast as it possible.
In this particular case, if they finally lost engine (I really can't understand how) they maybe will only pay for the "waste", but all of this will surface on the next time, when they will ask permit for the next launch. It's not Kazakh-Russ relation - they fine, besides of JimO's words, it's common sense - Kazakhs want to stop "stinkies" from flying, and they will. Maybe they begin their ban from Kosmotras Dnepr LV, because this company is not backed by Roscosmos and government much as Khrunichev's Proton is and nobody there will cry. I don't know, and don't want to speculate on such issue. Will see.
Maybe they begin their ban from Kosmotras Dnepr LV, because this company is not backed by Roscosmos and government much as Khrunichev's Proton is and nobody there will cry.
The Russian military use Dnepr launches to test the R-36 missile. They would object. Plus a ban on Dnepr launches would probably extend to R-36 missiles, which are virtually identical.
Reread pls, we talking not about Russian ban for Dnepr LV(why?), but about possible Kazakhs ban. It's in their National Policy to ground Russian "stinky" rockets ASAP, and Kosmotras now moving against it, the result can be predicted, and it happen sooner is they would making such mess even for launches from Baik.
The RVSN don't care in which direction they firing from Yasniy, it's Kosmotras' bad idea to sell launches in southern direction from Yasniy. The RVSN base Yasniy have own first stage drop area in the Russian Tyumen region(зона Вагайского, Викуловского и Сорокинского районов) for the tests or "launching utilization" and don't need permission from Kazakhs for that.
Yes, military making some profit from this conversion deals, but they more don't want to make problem with Kazakhstan. And what about extend R-36? Unfortunately START-II is dead, because of NMD/ABM and we all can see, that old rockets kinda can fly...
The article on Wikipedia about the five RapidEye satellites names the satellites TACHYS (Rapid), MATI (Eye), CHOMA (Earth), CHOROS (Space), TROCHIA (Orbit) with all names of Greek origin.
Does anyone has any other information about this?
The article on Wikipedia about the five RapidEye satellites names the satellites TACHYS (Rapid), MATI (Eye), CHOMA (Earth), CHOROS (Space), TROCHIA (Orbit) with all names of Greek origin.
Does anyone has any other information about this?
Here
http://www.rapideye.de/home/launch2008--/#contest is the original source from Rapid Eye.
