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First launch from Dombarovsky/Yasnyy

In a first space launch from the Yasnyy space site, which is part of the Dombarovsky ICBM base, a Dnepr space launcher successfully delivered into orbit the Genesis I spacecraft of the Bigelow Aerospace company. The launch was conducted by the ISC Kosmotras, which handles space launches for the Rocket Forces.

The rocket is a converted R-36MUTTH/SS-18 missile, which was reported to be in service for more than 25 years. It was launched at 18:54 MSK (14:54 UTC) on July 12, 2006. The spacecraft was delivered to the orbit with apogee of about 520 km.

The first ICBM launch from Dombarovsky took place in December 2004 as part of the plan to develop an Dnepr/SS-18 space launch site on the Russian territory. It was reported earlier that Bigelow Aerospace has a contract for two launches from Yasnyy.

The Dombarovsky ICBM base remains operational with 40 R-36M2/SS-18 missiles deployed there in January 2006. There is no conflict with the START Treaty here (so I was wrong in my post), since Russia apparently has no intent to formally declare Dombarovsky/Yasnyy a space-launch site and the the treaty does not prohibit space launches from ICBM bases.

[Rocket Forces] [Space] [July 12, 2006] []

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References to this entry

On December 21, 2006 at 11:20 MSK (08:20 UTC) , the Strategic Rocket Forces conducted a successful test launch of a R-36M2 (RS-20V, SS-18) missile from the Dombarovsky division. Missile warheads were reported to have reached their targets at the...
[R-36M2 test launch from Dombarovsky] [December 21, 2006 10:40 PM] [#]
On June 28, 2007 the Strategic Rocket Forces successfully conducted a launch of a Dnepr launcher from the Yasnyy/Dombarovsky launch site. The launcher, a converted R-36MUTTH/RS-20B/SS-18 missile, delivered a Genesis II satellite into a low-earth orbit....
[Genesis II launch from Dombarovsky] [June 28, 2007 9:11 PM] [#]

Comments

Hi Pavel!
I am interested in a few facts concerning SS-18 in all of its variants. first their reaction time. I mean, they are recognized by the west as the first strike weapon which implies that their usage could be covered somehow. But, as I read from a few sources, it is reasonable to believe that even their warheads are separatedly kept in magacines, and this goes for the fuel as well. Can they be prepared unnoticed? And for how long can they stay this way? I know that probably there are not exact figures available but just wanted to know what your best guess is.
One additional question: about SS-25, are the warheads attached to all the missiles in the peacetime?
Thanks in advance!

[Ivan] [July 16, 2006] [#]

All ICBMs are in silos fueled with their warheads attached. They are ready to go in less than a minute and preparations for launch would be quite difficult to detect. As the experience shows, they can be maintained in this state for 25+ years.

As for SS-25, they also have their warheads attached all the time.

[Pavel Podvig] [July 17, 2006] [#]

Pavel- Do you think this is the death knell then for the Svobodnyy launch site? Does Russia have any more contracts for Svobodnyy or does it sound like they're going to move all the launches to this "closer" launch facility?

[Tim] [July 24, 2006] [#]

Yes, as I understand, the decision to close Svobodnyy has been made some time ago.

[Pavel Podvig] [July 25, 2006] [#]

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