PREPARATION FOR THE FIRST COMMERCIAL LAUNCH OPERATED BY GK LAUNCH SERVICES IS AS SCHEDULED
GK Launch Services (part of the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos”) together with Lavochkin Research & Production Association (NPOL), Space Rocket Center “Progress”, and TsENKI have finalized the design documentation and signed the Interface Control Document for the launch of CAS500-1 satellite in 2020.
“Successful approval of the Interface Control Document with the CAS500-1 launch customer means that the launch preparation activities are progressing as it was earlier planned and scheduled,” commented Alexander Serkin, CEO of GK Launch Services.
At present, NPOL’s workshops are preparing for the fit-check with the Fregat Upper Stage. For that purpose, the fit-check dummies of the co-passengers have already begun to arrive in Moscow, Alexander Serkin added.
Earlier in 2019, Lavochkin Association (part of the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos”), by the purchase order of GK Launch Services, completed the production and certification of the 937- mm clamp-band separation system for CAS500-1 satellite. The system will provide separation of the spacecraft in orbit with shocks below 1,000 g. Such collaboration between Lavochkin Association and GK Launch Services for development of similar separation systems of other sizes for injecting spacecraft of Russian and foreign customers will continue in the future.
Fregat adaptation and preparation for the launches of foreign satellites CAS500-1 and CAS500-2 are underway in accordance with their master schedule.
The contracts for the launch of the South Korean Earth observation satellites CAS500-1 and CAS500-2 were signed between the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Aerospace Industries and Glavkosmos, GK Launch Services in August 2017. The satellite orbiting is expected by Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2020.
JSC GK Launch Services, a subsidiary of JSC Glavkosmos, is an operator of commercial launches. The company was established by the decision of Roscosmos and is authorized to conclude commercial contracts for the launch of spacecraft using Soyuz-2 family launch vehicles from the Russian spaceports.
Lavochkin Research & Production Association (NPOL) is the leading enterprise in the rocket and space industry that designs, manufactures and tests key automatic spacecraft for basic scientific research.
ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation established in August 2015 to oversee and implement a comprehensive reform of the Russian space industry. ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of the Russian government’s space program and its legal regulation. ROSCOSMOS also places orders for the development, manufacture and supply of space equipment and space infrastructure facilities. It is responsible for international space cooperation and setting the stage for the further application of space activity results for the social and economic development of Russia.
