Russian Defense Ministry to stop using Rockot light launch vehicles starting 2016 - commander
PLESETSK, Arkhangelsk region. Aug 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Defense Ministry intends to stop using the Rockot lightweight launch vehicles starting 2016 as part of efforts toward reducing dependence on imported components, Aerospace Defense Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Alexander Golovko said in a report to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is inspecting the Plesetsk space center on Wednesday.
"At the present time, Rockot rockets are being launched for the Defense Ministry as part of the federal space program and under international cooperation programs. Four launches are planned in the Defense Ministry interests, three of them in 2015 and one in 2016. After that, the Defense Ministry will be able to perform all missions using lightweight Soyuz-2.1v and Angara rockets," he said.
"Hence, we will not depend on imports related to light class launch vehicles," he said.
The Rockot launch vehicle uses a Briz-KM upper stage whose control system is manufactured by the Kharkiv-based company Khartron.
