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Relic Russian ICBM To the Rescue for Science

Posted by timothy on from the swords-into-satellites dept.

helio writes "Japanese space agency, JAXA, has announced that the agency will use DNEPR space launch system to launch OICETS (Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite). Initially OICETS was to be launched with Japan's H-IIA rocket, however the delay in their development and a lack of time in the schedule force JAXA to utilize Russian's DNEPR system. For those who are too young to remember Cold War, DNEPR space launch system used to be Russian's inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM). As you may guess, the OICETS satellite will be launched from a silo."

1 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Russians, military funding, and the private sector by Tackhead · · Score: 3, Interesting
    In addition to the Japanese project, a Russian nuclear sub crew will get some live-fire training while launching the (privately-funded) Planetary Society's Cosmos 1 solar sail project in March of 2005.

    There are also companies that partner with Russian airbases to take wealthy Westerners up in basically anything with wings. Having a Yankee in the back seat pays for the gas and maintenance, and helps the pilot get some flight hours.

    Hey, if you're short on hard currency to pay your troops, why not take some Western cash and make someone happy (whether it be through launching a space probe or giving 'em the ride of a lifetime) while your troops are getting their training.