The launch-vehicles produced in Ukraine ranked No. 4 in the world under the quantity of launches performed in 2009

ukraine-rocket-launchUnder the total number of LVs, which executed delivering of the space crafts in 2009, Ukrainian LVs ranked No.4 in the world on a par with China after Russia, USA, and France (ESA).

In 2009, 78 space-purpose launch-vehicles (LV) have been launched from 16 spaceports worldwide: 74 launches were performed successfully, 1 launch was partly successful, and 3 of them were emergency launches. Number of the launched LVs in 2009 increased for 9, comparing to the previous year.

As a result of performed launches in 2009, 123 space crafts have been inserted into near-Earth orbit, which is for 19 satellites more comparing to 2008.

Launches of LVs in 2009

Type of LV
Production country
Quantity of launches
Including emergencies
Soyuz-U, Soyuz-FG
Russia
11
-
Proton-K, Proton-M
Russia
10
-
Delta-2
USA
8
-
Ariane-5ECA, Ariane-GS
France (ESA)
7
-
Atlas-5
USA
5
-
Space Shuttle
USA
5
-
Zenit-3SLB
Ukraine
3
Delta-4
USA
3
-
Rokot
Russia
3
H-2A, Н-2B
Japan
3
-
PSLV
India
2
-
Soyuz-2
Russia
2
-
Chang Zheng-2C
China
2
-
Cyclone-3
Ukraine
1
-
Dnepr
Ukraine
1
-
Zenit-3SL
Ukraine
1
-
Chang Zheng-3C
China
1
-
Chang Zheng-2D
China
1
-
Chang Zheng-3B
China
1
-
Chang Zheng-4C
China
1
-
Safir
Iran
1
-
Taurus-XL
USA
1
1
Unha-2
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
1
1
Minotaur-1
USA
1
-
Cosmos-3М
Russia
1
-
KSLV-1
Republic of Korea
1
1
Falcon-1
USA
1
-
Total
78
3

Number of launches in 2009 by production countries

Production country
Number of LVs launched in 2009
Including successful launches
Russia
27
27
USA
24
23
France (ESA)
7
7
China
6
6
Ukraine
6
6
Japan
3
3
India
2
2
Iran
1
1
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
1
0
Republic of Korea
1
0
Total
78
75

Chronology of Ukraine-produced LVs launches in 2009:

Jan. 30, 2009, Cyclone-3 LV was successfully launched from Russian spaceport Plesetsk, Arkhangelsk region with “Koronas-Foton” SC on board, with a total mass of 1885kg, designed for solar exploration. A unique Ukrainian satellite telescope of electrons and protons “STEP-F” was installed on board of Russian “Koronas-Foton” together with the other scientific instrumentation.

Feb. 26, 2009, Zenit-3SLB LV was successfully launched from Baikonur spaceport within the “Land Launch” project. The launch was performed by International Space Services Co. (SІS), which includes SDO Yuzhnoye, Yuzhmash plant (Ukraine), Russian organizations RSC Energiya, Lavochkin Research and Production Association, KBTM, and CENKI ground space infrastructure operation center. Canadian space craft Telstar-11N with a mass of 4010kg was injected into geostationary orbit.

April 20, 2009, Zenit-3SL LV was successfully launched from Odyssey floating platform in the Pacific area, not far from Christmas Island with Italian Sіcral-1B SC on board, with a mass of 3025kg. The launch was performed by Sea Launch International Company, which includes: Boeіng Commercіal Space company (USA), RSC “Energiya” (Russia), SDO “Yuzhnoye”/ “Yuzhmash” plant (Ukraine), Akar ASA (Norway).

June 22, 2009, Zenit-3SLB LV was successfully launched from Baikonur spaceport within the “Land Launch” project. The launch was performed by International Space Services Co. (SІS). Malaysian Measat-1R space craft with a mass of 2389kg was injected into geostationary orbit.

July 29, 2009, Dnepr conversion launch-vehicle was successfully launched from Baikonur spaceport, which injected 6 space crafts into orbit: DubaiSat-1 (ОАЕ); Deimos-1 (Spain); UK-DMC-2 (Great Britain); Nanosat-1B (Spain); AprizeSat-3, AprizeSat-4 (USA). The launch was performed by Kosmotras International Company, which includes leading rocket-space enterprises of Russia and Ukraine: Federal Unitary Enterprise “CNDI of machine-building”, “Special Machine-Building Design Office” JSC, “ASKOND” CJSC, “Rosobschemash” JSC, SDO “Yuzhnoye”, “Yuzhmash” plant and “Khartron-Arkos” Research and Production Enterprise.

Nov. 30, 2009, Zenit-3SLB LV was successfully launched from Baikonur spaceport within “Land Launch” project. The launch was performed by International Space Services Co. (SІS). American Intelsat-15 SC with a mass of 2518 kg was injected into geostationary orbit.

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