The launch, ordered by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and International Space Company Kosmotras, was carried out by the Russian Space Forces crew with the support of Strategic Missile Forces and Federal Space Agency. The launch and satellites separation were successful.

Launch vehicle Dnepr is based on the RS-20 (SS-18 Satan) liquid-fuelled Inter Continental Ballistic Missile, which was designed at the State Design Bureau Yuzhnoye (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine) under the lead of General designer Vladimir Utkin. Missiles production was performed at the State Enterprise Production Association Yuzniy Machine Building Plant (Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine).

Launch vehicle has a launch weight of 211 tons with high reliability and convenient for the payload delivery of up to 3,5 tons. Dnepr can be used for high-elliptical orbits and escape trajectory to the Moon launches of spacecrafts, equipped with upper-stages.

Autonomous upper-stages of three modifications ordered by International Space Company Kosmotras are now under production within business cooperation of Russian and Ukraine enterprises.

The performed fifth launch of Dnepr Program was made under the Strategic Missile Forces plans of Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles liquidation by the launch method and also to verify the on-duty missiles technical reliability.

The primary entity for the implementation of the Dnepr program is the International Space Company Kosmotras established in 1997 by the decision of Russian Space Agency and National Space Agency of the Ukraine.

In cooperation with Kosmotras there are various Russian and Ukrainian enterprises and organizations that developed RS-20 missile system and performed control over its operations.

According to the words of Kosmotras Marketing Director Vladislav Solovey, Program for the Dnepr Space Launch System development and operations is one of the biggest conversion programs. Convertible into launch vehicles 150 SS-18 missiles form the basis of the Dnepr Program. The joint statement of the Russian and Ukrainian Presidents dated May 31, 1997 outlined the creation of the Dnepr System as a long-term priority project.

In April 2005 the Contract between JAXA and Kosmotras for two Japan satellites launch on the Dnepr launch vehicle, was approved by the Federal Space Agency. Manufactured by NEC Toshiba Space Systems, Ltd. OICETS satellite according to the JAXA mission profile will test space optical communications system and study the possibility of huge data transfer.

Using laser beams the satellite will carry out experiment of the interorbital laser communication with ARTEMIS, a geostationary satellite operated by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Science micro-satellite INDEX, designed and built by JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), will observe auroras and demonstrate new satellite technologies.

Second-in-command of Strategic Missile Forces, Armament Commander lieutenant-general Vitaly Linnik, Head of the Department of launch vehicles, ground based infrastructure and cooperation programs for the Federal Space Agency Vladimir Nesterov, other Russian, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Byelorussia officials were present at the launch.

Members of Japan delegation: Director of the Space Development and Utilization Division of Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Iwase Kimikazu, First Assistant of JAXA President Oida Toshihiko, Chief Executive, member of Board of Directors of Sumitomo Corporation Morinaka Kosaburo, President and CEO of NEC Toshiba Space Systems, Ltd. Nakada Katsutoshi - also were at the Cosmodrome to take part in the launch and expressed their thanks to Kosmotras staff for their "excellent job done and effective cooperation".

The delegation of Russian Insurance Centre including Chairman of the Board of Directors Alfred Shestakov and Chairman of the Board Dmitry Izvekov attended at the Cosmodrome Baykonur during the pre-launch operations and the launch of space rocket. Within the Dnepr Program Russian Insurance Centre insured risks of the launch vehicle and the launch silo loss during the space rocket launch and also participated in the third party liability insurance.

Moreover Company insured the Kosmotras special equipment, used in the mission.

At the final press-conference Chairman of the Board of the Russian Insurance Centre Dmitry Izvekov said, "By this unique silo launch two tasks were solved: first, the Inter Continental Ballistic Missile RS-20 reliability was proved and the second, payload space launch was effected successfully.

"For us, the insurers, this launch is unique because for the first time in the history of Russian space risks insurance market commercial silo launch was insured.

"At the same time the whole complex of special technical problems was solved including magneto-electric compatibility of spacecrafts and the launch vehicle, high level of optical cleanness and many other complicated questions that could influence the launch result. It is necessary for Russian insurers also to insure payload to provide Dnepr Program complete coverage. Our experience of cooperation work with Japanese partners proves this necessity".

International Space Company Kosmotras Chief Executive Officer Vladimir Andreev noticed that "Having wide experience in the space risks insurance, Russian Insurance Centre actively and dynamically works with Kosmotras and its business partners. Developing and performing special insurance programs for international space projects including Dnepr Program, Russian Insurance Centre demonstrates to the world space services market high professionalism of Russian insurers".

The Program of the Dnepr Space Launch System development and operations is an example of successful international cooperation between Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and some other countries.

High reliability and launch precision of Dnepr determine substantial potential market for satellite launch services.

Based on the long-term successful cooperation with Russian Insurance Centre Kosmotras works steady on the world launch services market successfully launching British, USA, Italian, Saudi Arabian, Malaysian, German, French and Japan satellites. Japan OICETS and INDEX satellites numbered 21 and 22 spacecraft launched by the International Space Company Kosmotras. Related Links
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