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Russian Plans to Fire ICBMs From Combat Silos Into Orbit
A remarkable report at http://www.gazeta.ru/2004/12/01/oa_141290.shtml describes Russian plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from combat silos in Dombarovskiy Rayon in the southern Urals, first towards the Kamchatka Penninsula later this month, and eventually southwards into orbit around Earth for commercial customers. This will undoubtedly receive heightened diplomatic attention under current circumstances. The Ukraine-built missiles, the RS-20 (SS-18 'Satan'), will be decommissioned due to age in coming years, and 'destroyed' (per SALT) by launching them (this is allowed). But I'm unaware of any previous Soviet ICBM launchings out of active military silos (as opposed to test launches from ranges at Baykonur and Plesetsk). Nor have I seen any indications of attempts to seek commercial customers for the orbital launchings, as the article alleges. I would appreciate any insights from readers into these activities and could share some raw data of my own. James Oberg (www.jamesoberg.com), email to jameseoberg at houston dot rr dot com |
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"Jim Oberg" wrote in message
... A remarkable report at http://www.gazeta.ru/2004/12/01/oa_141290.shtml describes Russian plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from combat silos in Dombarovskiy Rayon in the southern Urals, first towards the Kamchatka Penninsula later this month, and eventually southwards into orbit around Earth for commercial customers. JimO, this is probably a real dumb question, but...do SS-18s have enough oomph to get a payload into orbit in the first place? If so, gotta *love* the creative solution to the "what to do with the old nukes"? question. Capitalism at its finest g -- Terrell Miller "The truth will set you free. So will pork and beans." -She Devil's Father |
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In message
"Jim Oberg" wrote: A remarkable report at http://www.gazeta.ru/2004/12/01/oa_141290.shtml describes Russian plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from combat silos in Dombarovskiy Rayon in the southern Urals, But I'm unaware of any previous Soviet ICBM launchings out of active military silos (as opposed to test launches from ranges at Baykonur and Plesetsk). Nor have I seen any indications of attempts to seek commercial customers for the orbital launchings, as the article alleges. Is this greatly different from the orbital launches they've performed from mobile silos? They seem to have had a steady trickle of customers for the submarine launches. Anthony |
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"Jim Oberg" wrote in message
... A remarkable report at http://www.gazeta.ru/2004/12/01/oa_141290.shtml describes Russian plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from combat silos in Dombarovskiy Rayon in the southern Urals, first towards the Kamchatka Peninsula later this month, and eventually southwards into orbit around Earth for commercial customers. This will undoubtedly receive heightened diplomatic attention under current circumstances. The Ukraine-built missiles, the RS-20 (SS-18 'Satan'), will be decommissioned due to age in coming years, and 'destroyed' (per SALT) by launching them (this is allowed). But I'm unaware of any previous Soviet ICBM launchings out of active military silos (as opposed to test launches from ranges at Baykonur and Plesetsk). Nor have I seen any indications of attempts to seek commercial customers for the orbital launchings, as the article alleges. I would appreciate any insights from readers into these activities and could share some raw data of my own. James Oberg (www.jamesoberg.com), email to jameseoberg at houston dot rr dot com Jim, My guess is that the Russians have noticed the success (long term launch contracts) of the ISC Kosmotras Dnepr program and desire to acquire some of these foreign dollars. The SS-18 or RS-20 (marketed as Dnepr by ISC Kosmotras) is already being launched from Baiknour -- which are launched out the silos on the complex. Accoridng to the presentation that I attended in October, the section of Baiknour where the Dnepr is launched is strictly "off-limits" .. as to whether they are classified as "military active silos" -- possibly not. Here is the ISC Kosmotras Dnepr marketing web site: http://www.kosmotras.ru/ There are reported to be 150 SS-18 missiles that can be converted into launch vehicles for the Dnepr Program. The Dnepr launch vehicle, with a payload capability of 4,500 kg (9,920 lbm) to LEO and a launch price of US $ 10-13 M, has been fulfilling the small science satellite market, Little LEO and LEO O&M markets. (Surrey (UK) and SpaceQuest (US) has been frequent users of this launch vehicle, as well as European and Asian countries) Here is a photos of the recent June 24, 2004 AMSAT "Echo" launch (AO-51 - now in orbit) from Baiknour (Kazakhstan) on the Dnepr (this was the fourth launch of the Dnepr) http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/...aunch_1200.jpg Chuck Green was the "lucky" guy to spend one month in Kazakhstan for the launch (and was allowed to take a substantial number of photos) http://bach.as.arizona.edu/gallery/T...back_to_Moscow They actually started the airplane's engine (for return trip to Moscow) by hitting it with a large hammer .... and you thought that scene from Armageddon (1998 Bruce Willis movie) was a joke? .... and yes these photos show the aircraft's tires. http://bach.as.arizona.edu/gallery/echo w9gb |
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In article ,
Terrell Miller wrote: JimO, this is probably a real dumb question, but...do SS-18s have enough oomph to get a payload into orbit in the first place? Oh yes -- it's the biggest ICBM ever built, after all. A Dnepr (about 4t to a rather low orbit) is an SS-18. The main limitation with the stock ICBM as a launcher is that there is no capability for a coast phase during ascent, which means that payload drops off very sharply as orbit altitude rises. Kosmotras was supposed to be working on an improved third stage which would cure that, but I don't know if it's flown. -- "Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend." | Henry Spencer -- George Herbert | |
#6
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On 2004-12-04, Terrell Miller wrote:
JimO, this is probably a real dumb question, but...do SS-18s have enough oomph to get a payload into orbit in the first place? According to a 1999 Wired article, the SS-18 can launch four tons into orbit. See http://www.wired.com/news/technology...,19298,00.html (There are probably other, better references, this is just the first I came across after a google search) IIRC, Bigelow planning to use one to launch one of their Genesis inflatables, pending US State Dept approval. Iain |
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Henry Spencer wrote: The main limitation with the stock ICBM as a launcher is that ... ....people get twitchy when you start launching them, especially from silos... |
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Scott Lowther wrote: ...people get twitchy when you start launching them, especially from silos... Especially if you don't tell them way in advance...I think the SLBM launched satellites would have even more potential in this area. Pat |
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The SS-18 is a close equivalent to the American Titan II, just a bit larger.
The retired and refurbished Titan II missile turned out to be a very workable orbital launcher. (9 for 9, I believe). Matt Bille ) OPINIONS IN ALL POSTS ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR |
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Pat Flannery wrote:
Scott Lowther wrote: ...people get twitchy when you start launching them, especially from silos... Especially if you don't tell them way in advance...I think the SLBM launched satellites would have even more potential in this area. And there are long established protocols among the various owners and operators of SL/ICBM on how and when to make notifications of future launches. D. -- Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL |
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