The Rockot Launch Vehicle – Future Missions and Plans for Enhancing Cost-Effective Access to Orbit for the Small Satellite Community

Abstract

EUROCKOT is now a firmly established and operational launch service provider for small and medium sized satellites into low earth orbit and beyond using the Rockot launch vehicle. Eurockot, which is backed by strong parent companies, namely Europe's EADS SPACE Transportation (51%) and Russia's Khrunichev (49%) owns world class payload preparation facilities at its launch site, Plesetsk in northern Russia. ROCKOT is a three stage liquid fuelled launch vehicle with the Russian SS-19 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile providing its first two stages.