Russia considers launching satellites with Topol ballistic missiles
Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos has stated on its website that it’s looking at ways of resuming satetlitev launches using the Start-1 class rocket which is designed based on the Topol intercontinental ballistic missile.
On January 28, Roscosmos commission arrived at Vostochny Cosmodrome led by Alexander Lopatin, Executive Director for Quality and Reliability Assurance of Roscosmos.
It is reported that Roskosmos’s experts also studied the plausible construction sites of ground infrastructure for the new space rocket complex. The results of the commission’s work will be used in developing projects for 2020 to 2030.
In mid-May 2018, RIA Novosti reported, citing its sources, that Topol ballistic missiles’ service life was about to expire but the missiles could be used to launch satellites. In 2016, Colonel-General Sergei Karakayev, commander of the Strategic Missile Forces made that proposal, but his idea was not picked up.
In the early 1990s, the Start launch vehicle was developed which was based on the design of the Topol missile. Its launch was conducted in 1993. After seven attempts, further launches were cancelled in 2006.