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Relic Russian ICBM To the Rescue for Science
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."
Seriously however, I can't think of a better use for old Russian ICBMs.
I Am My Own Worst Enemy
(minutes after launch)
This just in!
Rhode Island has been consumed in a fiery explosion!
Also just in, the word "oops" is heard around the world, supposedly originating from a team of scientists and launch coordinators..
Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
Seems a bit too much like a James Bond Villian plot.
"That's right Mr. Bond. The japanese science missile is actually carrying a nuclear payload, and there is no one here to stop me MWHAHAHAH! Now I'm going to put this "stop missile" remote control over here and leave the room secure in the fact that you can't possibly escape your restraints... MWHAHAHAHAH!"
Just a boy doing unproffesional IT work that's way above his head.
If it's a relic, then it's not Russian, it's Soviet. If you want to call it current then it could be Russia, but then there would be some irony, as the name DNEPR is the name of the most important river in Ukraine, which is (in case any of you were sleeping while recent news was transpiring), a completely different country (much to Russia's consternation). In fact, if the Russians haven't yet changed the name of the DNEPR system, it only goes to further evidence their thinly veiled ambitions on Ukraine.
The ICBM contains a beowulf-cluster of sharks with friggen lazer beams mounted on their heads. It be be piloted by giant alien ant overlords (which I welcome) led by Bruce Willis. There, does that cover it all?
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
"The Japanese space agency, JAXA, has announced that the agency will use the DNEPR space launch system to launch the OICETS (Optical Inter-Orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite). Initially the 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 the Russian's DNEPR system. For those who are too young to remember the Cold War, the DNEPR space launch system used to be the Russian's inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM). As you may guess, the OICETS satellite will be launched from a silo."
You know, Engrish can be cute, or it can be a pain to read.
You can't take the sky from me...
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.
... I think we can be reasonably certain that our brand-new, fully-functioning ballistic missile defense system will not intercept it...
perl -e 'foreach(values %SIG){$_="IGNORE";}while(){}'
Apparently, the latest Japanese assessment that China is a hostile foreign power has pervaded the government of Japan, and Tokyo will not be cooperating with Beijing for the intermediate future.
For those who are not aware, the Japanese government recently issued a defense whitepaper identifying Beijing as a hostile military threat. Unlike the Taiwanese, the Japanese do not wish to hand critical space/aeronautical technologies over to the butchers in Beijing.
no kidding
wtf do all the acronyms mean?
It is nice to finally see some old war technology used for beneficial purposes. While this is not the first time it has been done - it is always nice to hear. Especially when a group takes an obvious military weapon only device and transforms it into something useful (i.e. the military uses decomissioned tanks to make barrier reefs).
I mod down so you can mod up. Your welcome.
There have been a number of rockets that were originally designed as ICBMs and then used for commercial and other purposes, it's not that uncommon. The original Redstone rockets used for Mercury came right from the USAF. Instead of being loaded with a nuclear payload they recieved a capsule. Same with Gemini and its Titan rockets.
Sealaunch uses Zenit for the first stage in their launcher. They wre originally designed as a quick launch ICBM by the Soviets. The launch facility was a truck and the whole system was designed to fit inside of a rail tunnel, to stay out of sight from american spy satellites.
Well, I'm sure it's kind of mutual. Chinese have a LOONG memory, and it's only been ~60 years since the occupation of China by the Japanese was ended. The Japanese conduct in China won them great emnity - I'm sure China considers Japan a Hostile Power even after all this time.
DNEPR-1 is a civilian name for a rocket named (by NATO) Satan.
Some people think it is way sexier than Delta-4 Heavy.
Here's more stuff about this relic Russian (actually, Ukrainian) ICBM
Both the US and the former-Soviets have programs to dispose of ICBMs through commercial-use conversions. The US turns Peacekeeper ICBMs into Taurus launch vehicles. Stanford University launched a bunch of picosats on the first Minotaur - a hybrid of the Minuteman ICBM and Pegasus upper stages. The DNEPR has launched a couple of small satellites already, and has a number of Cubesats on-deck. You can coordinate getting a Cubesat on a DNEPR launch through OSSS or TransOrbital.
the Gambia, the Niger, the Sudan, the Yemen, and the Ukraine