Strela rocket

Infobox rocket
name =Strela
function =Orbital carrier rocket
manufacturer =Khrunichev
country-origin =RUS
UKR
height =convert|24.3|m|ft [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/strela.html Russian Space Web - Strela] ]
diameter =convert|2.5|m|ft
mass = convert|1060000|kg|lb [http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/strela.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica (old verion) - Strela] ]
stages = 2
capacities= Infobox Rocket/Payload
location=LEO
kilos = convert|1700|kg|lb
status = Active
sites = Baikonur Cosmodrome
first=5 December 2003
launches =1
success =1
family=Universal Rocket

Strela is a Russian orbital carrier rocket, derived from the Soviet/Ukranian UR-100NU missile. It conducted its maiden launch on 5 December 2003. It is next scheduled to launch in late 2008, with the Kanopus satellite.

It was originally planned to be launched from the Svobodny Cosmodrome, with test launches being conducted from existing UR-100 silos at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Svobodny was closed in 2007, without seeing any Strela launches. It is unclear whether a Strela launch complex will be incorporated into the Vostochny Cosmodrome, which is being built on the site of Svobodny.

Strela differs from the Rockot, which is also derived from the UR-100, in that it has undergone less modifications, such as the absence of an additional upper stage, as used on the Rockot. It is also launched from silos, whereas the Rockot is launched from flat pads.

ee also

*UR-100
*Dnepr rocket
*Rockot

References