Cosmodrome “Sea Launch” turns into a “suitcase without a handle”

It seems that the once promising Sea Launch project will not be able to find application. The deal between the Rosatom subsidiary and the owner of the floating S7 spaceport, which was vigorously discussed in the press last week, is unlikely to take place.

According to the agency RIA News, now they don’t see the point in acquiring the facility in the state corporation, since Rosatom currently not only does not feel the need for space launches, but also does not have competencies to attract third-party customers.



Recall that the floating complex, consisting of the Odyssey launch platform and the Sea Launch assembly and command ship, was relocated from the port of Long Beach (USA) to Vladivostok this spring. “Sea Launch” was planned to be reconstructed at the Slavic Shipyard and adapted to launch modifications of the promising Soyuz-5 carrier.

However, the reality is that S7 does not currently have the funds to repair a floating spaceport and build the necessary coastal infrastructure. As a result, the acquisition, which seemed at first glance profitable, turned into the notorious “suitcase without a handle”.

The very “saving straw” for Sea Launch was supposed to be the deal announced last week. But the latter is now unlikely to take place. And here involuntarily recall words Head of the Space Institute policy Ivan Moiseyev about "cutting into scrap metal."