The ROCKOT launch vehicle-the competitive launch solution for small Earth observation satellites into low Earth orbits

Eurockot is the German-Russian joint venture company providing low earth orbit (LEO) launch services with the Russian ROCKOT launch vehicle. ROCKOT is a 3 stage liquid fuelled launch vehicle, which can place payloads of up to 1950 kg into LEO and has the capability to serve sun-synchronous, near polar and highly inclined orbits from its launch site at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. The purpose of the paper is to describe the suitability of ROCKOT specifically for LEO earth observation and scientific missions. The paper provides an overview of Eurockot's recent commercial launch experience and future customers. In particular, it describes in some detail the recent launch campaigns and missions undertaken to satisfy the particular customer needs. After successful launches of GRACE and IRIDIUM satellites in 2002, five further contracts have been concluded on the ROCKOT launch vehicle, three of which are for launches of earth observation systems.