Starting November 20, the first two scientific and technology satellites KazSaySat (scientific purposes) and KazistiSat (technological purpose) of Kazakhstan decided not to carry out from the cosmodrome “Baikonur” forces of the Russian state Corporation Roscosmos, and by the private us company SpaceX and its Falcon 9 rocket. Sending two satellites into orbit will be carried out with military Vandenberg AFB in California.
This information was confirmed by press Secretary of the Ministry of defense and the aerospace industry of Kazakhstan asset Organovym. In fact, the talk that the launch will be conducted by the American party began last year. Ironically, then, the news came amid reports about the loss at start c of the Vostochny space centre 19 nanosatellites, 17 of which were of foreign production.
The first remote sensing satellite Ground resolution of 17 meters developed by Kazakh and British engineers. The second unit, which is used to study the ionosphere of the planets to predict earthquakes, developed by Kazakh specialists.
On Tuesday the Kazakhstan party commented on the choice in favor of SpaceX total cost start.
“Why this time the Falcon 9 because it was cheaper to launch on Falcon-9. Sum — a trade secret we can’t disclose, the American side has asked,” said Nurkenov.
Press Secretary of the Ministry of defense and the aerospace industry of Kazakhstan also added that a choice in favor of SpaceX in this case does not mean full refusal of service of Roskosmos in the future, such devices can be triggered by the Russian “Unions” and “Protons” from Baikonur cosmodrome.
“We plan to launch from Kazakhstan, it is possible. Think spacecraft this configuration, it is possible to run booster rockets of the “Soyuz”, “proton”, the launch of which we have produced with “Baikonur” — said the spokesman.
Why launch using the Falcon 9 will be cheaper?
This is for two reasons. The first and most important is that it will be a mass start. That is in addition to the two Kazakhstan satellites as payload into Earth orbit, the Falcon 9 will bring a few dozen compact satellites. It turns out that all the places on this launch was purchased by the company Spaceflight Industries are going to organize the most massive simultaneous launch in the history of American spaceflight. Originally stated on more than 70 devices, but now the company announces plans to output 64 satellites. So the total startup cost is distributed between a large number of customers Spaceflight Industries found itself. For customers, this comes out significantly cheaper.
Another reason for the low cost of running is that for SpaceX, this will be a pilot launch. The company intends to launch a rocket with twice flew and prizemleniya the first step. About SpaceX officials said in October. Previously, the company did not use the stage with such testing. Of course, when conducting such launches SpaceX provides its customers great discounts.
Why the Russian space Agency loses clients?
According to the head of the state Corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, SpaceX is stepping up the volume of its runs in the first place due to the dumping prices. About this Rogozin said last month, noting that SpaceX intentionally lowers the price of launch services to oust competitors.
“If you look at what price he sells “Falcon” the Pentagon and how it goes on the market, you will see a clean dumping. In order to squeeze Russia from the market, he sells the launches from 40 to 50, sometimes 50 to 60 million dollars”, — was commented by then decreasing the volume of Russian launches Rogozin.
“But from the Pentagon he receives an average of approximately 150 million in each start-up. I mean, you know, pay him so he went to the market with a cheaper product. And, of course, Russia can not compete. We can not from our Ministry of defense to demand three, four, five times more expensive price for the start in the interest of our national security,” — said the head of Roscosmos.
At the same time, Rogozin at the time praised Elon musk, however, is not without irony:
“He is definitely very talented engineer and wonderful PR. Musk knows how to present products to make a candy that… Well, in General, to make candy”, — said Rogozin.
Earlier, Rogozin said that in fact, “a market launch is currently only 4 percent of the total market of space services. To jostle with Elon Musk and China in this market is to push for the 4 percent.” More interesting, apparently, for Rogozin and Roscosmos as a whole is another goal.
Rogozin dreams of the moon and robotic avatars
A global trend of interest in the study and the prospect of colonization of the natural satellite of our planet is not spared and Russia. In the framework of reviving the lunar program Russia plans to create on the lunar surface visited a long-term basis. The study of the Earth’s satellite will be assigned according to Dmitry Rogozin, the robots and avatars. He reported about it in conversation with RIA Novosti.
“We are talking about creating a long-term base, of course, is not inhabited and visited. But mostly it’s transition to robotic systems, avatars that will solve the problems on the surface of the moon,” said the head of Roscosmos.
Rogozin noted that the project will be more extensive and complex, in comparison with the lunar program of the USA of the 60’s – 70-ies. On the moon base built by the Russian space Agency head said. However, according to earlier announced plans, the first landing of the Russian cosmonauts on the moon to take place in 2030. And after that it is planned to start the construction of a lunar base.
During the development of the moon Russia is going to resort to the extensive use of 3D printing technologies. The latter will allow you to create parts to repair the space technology directly to the satellite from the lunar soil. Available on the moon helium-3 is planned to be used as the basis for the production of rocket fuel, said Rogozin.
Discuss this article in our Telegram chat.