Russia is stepping up the production of Soyuz rockets to go to the International Space Station (ISS), Alexander Kirilin, general director of the Progress plant (incorporated in the Progress State Scientific Production Space Center) where these rockets are built, has told Interfax.
“If the plant made five-six rockets a year for launches to the Russian station Mir, it will build eight to nine for the International Space Station,” Kirilin said.
“In 2001, Progress will manufacture eight rockets for launches to the ISS,” he added.
Modifications are currently being made to the Soyuz-2, which will be able to carry around seven tonnes. Progress currently produces Soyuz rockets that can launch around 5 tonnes of cargo into orbit. The company controls around 30% of the world commercial launch market in this niche, Kirilin said.
In two-three years the plant plans to start producing the new Aurora rocket with carrying capacity of around 11 tonnes and which will have NK-33 engines, developed for the Soviet space program, he said.
This joint project between Energiya in Moscow region and Progress will enable the plant to enter the heavy launch market.
In Soviet times Progress launched up to 60 rockets per annum, while nly 12 were launched in 2000. The plant has the capacity to build around 30 rockets per annum, Kirilin said.
Progress plans to build 13-15 rockets in 2001, including eight for the ISS.
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