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Ukraine: Missile and SLV Developments

 

10/13/2001: SLV JOINT VENTURE HAS GOOD PROSPECTS, BUT FACES OBSTACLES

Ukrainska pravda reported on 13 October 2001 that the Russian-Ukrainian joint-venture Kosmotras has good commercial prospects.  Kosmotras converts R-36M [NATO designation SS-18 'Satan'] ICBMs into Dnepr space launch vehicles (SLV), which are capable of delivering up to 3t into low orbit. A future variant is expected to be able to deliver 400-600kg objects into geostationary orbit.  The first successful Dnepr launch delivered five satellites into orbit on 9/26/2000.  Kosmotras commercial success has grown with the announcement of a number of new contracts for Dnepr launches.  The number of contracts, however, may exceed Kosmotras' capabilities to meet launch orders.  A contract was signed with Malaysia on 10 October 2001 to launch a satellite by 2002.  Another project signed with Malaysia, called TropiSat, is expected to involve the launch of 14 communication satellites and two monitoring satellites for a system operating along the equator.  Kosmotras also announced that they entered a contract with Germany that stipulates the launch of at least five intelligence-gathering satellites by 2006.  Ukrainska pravda reported that Kosmotras may face the problem that not all remaining R-36M ICBMs may be suitable for SLV conversion.  START II requirements for dismantlement of all R-36M ICBMs by 2007 might also prevent the successful implementation of these contracts. It is important to note, however, that START II has not been ratified by the United States and is unlikely to ever enter into force.

["Budushcheye raket 'Satana'," Ukrainska pravda online edition, http://www.pravda.com.ua, 13 October 2001.] {Entered 10/17/2001 RG}

 

5/25/2001: PIVDENNE DESIGN BUREAU BEGINS NEW SLV DEVELOPMENT

The National Space Agency of Ukraine press service announced that as part of the National Space Program for 2002-2006 the Pivdenne Design Bureau in Dnipropetrovsk began the development of a new family of SLVs. The family is to include two SLV types: Mayak-12, capable of launching cargoes of up to 1.7t into orbits up to 500km; and Mayak-23, capable of launching cargoes of up to 3t into geostationary transfer orbits. The SLVs will use rocket engines developed at Ukrainian and Russian design bureaus and manufactured at Pivdenmash. The first launch is planned for 2005-2006.
["Na Ukraine sozdayetsya novoye semeystvo raketonositeley," Interfax, 25 May 2001.] {Entered 5/25/2001 MJ}

 

2/12/2001: PUTIN AND KUCHMA DISCUSS SPACE COOPERATION

On 12 February 2001 in Dnipropetrovsk, the location of the Pivdenne Design Bureau and Pivdenmash, which formerly designed and produced ICBMs, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma signed a joint statement on expanding the two countries' aerospace cooperation. The two countries committed themselves to cooperation in promoting joint space services, including the use of Dnepr, Tsiklon, and Zenit space launch vehicles, and to support  the Sea Launch project.[1] Although there has been some speculation over the possibility of restarting ICBM production at Ukrainian facilities, Ukrainian officials denied this issue was on the meeting's agenda. Pivdenmash General Director Yuriy Alekseyev, stated that while restarting ICBM production was theoretically possible, it would require a considerable amount of time and significant investments, and would contravene existing international agreements.[2] At the same time, Alekseyev stated that Pivdenmash specialists have been helping Russia maintain its R-36M-series [NATO designation SS-18 'Satan'] and RT-23UTTKh [NATO designation SS-24 'Scalpel'] ICBMs, and that during Russian Duma discussions on START II ratification, Pivdenmash received a request concerning the possibility of restarting ICBM production there. [2,3] For more information, see the 2/12/2001 entry in the Ukraine: Other Nuclear Weapons-Related Developments file.
Sources:
[1] Interfax, 12 February 2001; in "Russia, Ukraine to expand cooperation in aerospace field," FBIS Document CEP20010212000161.
[2] Mikhail Melnik, ITAR-TASS, 12 February 2001; in "Russia: Putin tour of Yuzhmash said to have no bearing on US missile defense system," FBIS Document CEP20010210000025.
[3] "Vozobnovleniye proizvodstva boyevykh raket v Dnepropetrovske vozmozhno, no potrebuyet ochen bolshikh sredstv," UNIAN, No. 006 (146), 5-11 February 2001. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

9/26/2000:  FIRST COMMERCIAL LAUNCH OF CONVERTED SS-18 ICBM SUCCESSFUL

On 26 September 2000 the space launch vehicle Dnepr, a converted RS-20 [NATO designation SS-18  'Satan'] intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), was successfully launched from the Baykonur Cosmodrome.  The RS-20 conversion into the Dnepr was accomplished with the cooperation of Ukraine's Pivdenne Design Bureau and Pivdenmash Production Association.  For more information, see the 9/26/2000 entry in the Russia: ICBM Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

9/11/2000:  PIVDENNE/PIVDENMASH TO DELIVER 80 ROCKETS TO SEA LAUNCH

On 11 September 2000 the Sea Launch consortium signed a contract for Pivdenne/Pivdenmash to deliver 80 Zenit-3SL rockets to its Long Beach, California site. For more information, see the 9/11/2000 entry in the Ukraine: Missile/Silo Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

7/26/2000: DNEPR TO LAUNCH SATELLITES FOR OSSS 

Kosmotras, a Russo-Ukrainian space launch company, will use its Dnepr space launch vehicles for cluster-launches of small satellites on behalf of the US company One Stop Satellite Solutions (OSSS), which is involved in manufacturing small satellites for universities. For more information, see the 7/26/2000 entry in the Ukraine: Missile/Silo Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

10/10/99: SEA LAUNCH PROGRAM INAUGURATED

On 10 October 1999, a Ukrainian Zenit rocket launched a Hughes communications satellite into orbit. Ukraine thereby, in cooperation with the United States, Russia, and Norway, initiated the "Sea Launch" program aimed at lifting payloads into space from an ocean-based platform. For more information, see the 10/10/1999 entry in the Ukraine: Missile/Silo Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

9/20/99: UKRAINE CONVERTS ICBMs INTO LAUNCH VEHICLES

In an effort to become competitive in the international space launch market and gain much-needed revenues, the Ukrainian National Space Agency is expanding its launcher programs, Space News reported on 20 September 1999. For more information, see the 9/20/1999 entry in the Ukraine: Missile/Silo Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

1/20/99: UKRAINE PLANS TO BUILD SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLES

Former RS-20 [SS-18 'Satan'] ICBM manufacturer Pivdenmash Production Association plans to form a consortium called Yuzhkosmos to build satellites and rockets. For more information, see the 1/20/99 entry in the Ukraine: Missile/Silo Dismantlement section. {Entered 5/9/2001 MJ}

 

7/97 UKRAINE TO COMMERCIALIZE SS-18 ICBMs

According to Col. Oleksandr Serdyuk, head of Ukraine's Center for Administrative Control of the Strategic Military Forces, a delegation will be sent to Russia in the near future to register a joint enterprise to modernize and commercialize SS-18 ICBMs. Serdyuk said that a total of 150 missiles will be modernized, and that the first missile redesigned for commercial use will appear in 1998. Ukraine, which will have a 50 percent share in the joint enterprise, "will be resolving the technical issues: development of the operational units for launching payloads and the assembly of the booster stage."[1] In a separate statement made at a press conference in Kiev, Volodymyr Horbulyn (Gorbulin), Secretary of the National Security Council and head of the National Space Agency's International Department, noted that "Ukraine's participation in the conversion of SS-18 strategic missiles may help towards building up political confidence between Russia and the USA." Horbulyn believes that converting these missiles for peaceful purposes will be "beneficial" to Ukraine.[2]

Sources:

[1] Interfax, 11 July 1997, "Ukraine's Participation in Peaceful Uses of SS-18 Missiles May Help Towards Building up Political Confidence Between USA and Russia."

[2] UNIAN, 10 July 1997; in "Joint Enterprise to Commercialize SS-18 Missiles," FBIS-SOV-97-191. {Entered 4/3/98 SP}

 

6/97: OFFICIAL REITERATES UKRAINE'S RIGHT TO BUILD SHORT-RANGE NUCLEAR MISSILES

Volodymyr Horbulyn (Gorbulin), Secretary of the Ukrainian National Security Council, reiterated a statement made in May 1997 in which he declared that Ukraine retains the right to build short-range nuclear missiles (with a range of 300-500 kilometers) if the country's national security is threatened. Despite the Treaty of Friendship signed with Russia in May 1997, Horbulyn asserted that Ukraine has "retained the freedom to maneuver" if required by national security interests.[1] US officials have pressured Ukraine to drop its missile program due to fears that Ukraine might sell missiles to states like Iraq, Iran, and Libya. Foreign Minister Hennadiy Udovenko has denied that Ukraine would sell this technology to "countries whose moral standing is in question." Following US criticism over Ukraine's missile program, Udovenko called for Japanese investment and cooperation in space exploration and the aerospace industry.[2]

Sources:

[1] Interfax, 18 June 1997; in "Government Has Right to Build Missiles 'if Threatened'," FBIS-TAC-97-169.

[2] "Ukraine Calls for Japan Cash for Space Industry," Reuters, 20 May 1997. {Entered 4/3/98 SP}

Last Updated 13 October 2001

Commments or questions? Contact Michael Jasinski at MIIS CNS: Michael.Jasinski@miis.edu

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.

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