The first commercial satellite launch from Baikonur using a Russo-Ukrainian Zeneth-3SL rocket will be made in the second half of 2005, Alexander Kuznetsov, deputy director of the Russian Space Agency, said as quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency.

"A preliminary agreement on this launch has already been signed," the official said.

The Russo-Ukrainian company International Space Services is to organise the Baikonur launches, while Sea Launch, based in California, will prospect for clients, he said.

Three commercial satellites have been put into orbit by means of the Zenith-3SL rockets designed by Ukraine but including a Russian-built third state, launched from Sea Launch's floating platform south of Hawaii, near the earth's equator.

Formed in 1995, Sea Launch is a mixed enterprise in which the US aircraft constructor Boeing owns a 40 percent holding, with Russia's Energia holding 25 percent, Norway's Kvaerner 20 percent and the Ukrainians Yuzhnoe and Yuzhmashzavod the remaining 15 percent.

The first commercial launch from the floating platform was carried out in October 1999.

SPACE.WIRE