|
Ukraine — an Aerospace Nation
|
|
|
|
Although Ukraine emerged as an independent nation just a decade ago, it
has had old and prominent aerospace traditions and potential. R&D and manufacturing
facilities of the powerful Soviet military industry are the basis of this
potential. Thanks to its unique technological capabilities Ukraine takes part in many international projects
of the aerospace industry.
The Sea Launch Partnership was formed in
April 1995 in response to increased market demand for more affordable and reliable
commercial satellite launch services. Sea Launch combines proven launch systems with marine-based
operations to provide heavy-lift launch services for commercial customers.
Since its inaugural launch on March 27, 1999 SeaLaunch has successfully launched 15 communications
satellites on the geosynchronous orbit for such companies as Intelsat, DirecTV,
Echostar, XM-Radio and Thuraya (20 October 2000 and 10 June 2003).
SeaLaunch launch vehicle consists of the Ukrainian-produced
Zenit-3SL rocket
and Russian-built Block DM-SL upper stage. The first and second stages
of the booster have been designed and manufactured by the
SDO Yuzhnoye in Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine).
The booster is similar to the two-stage Zenit that have flown 31 times
during 1985—1999 in the Soviet Union. The Block DM-SL is built by Energia
of Moscow (Russia). This upper stage is responsible for delivering the satellite
payloads into their intended orbits during a series of up to five launches.
Boeing provides the payload launch and inter-stage structure.
View the Earth from Thuraya satellites
Thuraya 1
Thuraya 2
To be continued…
|
