Zenit launch from Baikonur

Ukraine had a mixed record in space in 2013. While the Dnepr rocket returned to service with a pair of successful launches after a two-year gap, one of two Zenit boosters ended up in a watery grave after it failed shortly after launch.

Ukrainian companies had better luck as a components supplier. Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares — which boasts a Ukrainian-supplied first stage — racked up two flawless flights. Meanwhile, the European Vega booster made a second successful flight with a Ukrainian fourth stage on board.

Meanwhile, a joint partnership with Brazil to launch the Cylcone-4 rocket from South America made progress even as it suffered additional schedule delays that have pushed back the maiden flight into 2015.

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The construction of the Cyclone-4 assembly and test facility. (Credit: HCA)

Approximately 1,200 workers are busy building the new Cyclone -4 launch complex at Brazil’s Alcantara Launch Center, according to a press release from the National Space Agency of Ukraine (HCA).

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UKRAINE SPACE AGENCY PR — At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers February 15, 2012 approved the Concept of national targeted scientific and technical space program for 2013-2017 (hereinafter – the Program).

The concept defined the problem to be solved by directed program, an analysis of its causes, is the objective of the Programme on the basis of comparative analysis, the optimal solution of the problem and solve it, given the expected results of the program, as well as approximate the necessary financial resources.

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UKRAINE SPACE AGENCY PR — On January 27, 2011 at Ukrinform, the President of Ukraine HCA YSА Alexeyev held a press conference on the results of the space industry in 2011. Alexeyev said that last year the enterprises of the industry produced and sold products worth almost 3.4 billion UAH., Which is about 1.6 times more than in 2010. In general, the industry completed in 2011 with a net profit amounting to UAH 76.7 million.

Among the major achievements of President of Ukraine HCA said the successful August 17, 2011 launch of domestic spacecraft remote sensing, “Sich-2” on the “Dnepr”. At the present time has received more than 600 pictures of Earth’s surface.On this basis, the HCA Ukrainian specialists performed the first case the task of monitoring the clearing of forests, monitoring of germination of winter crops in different regions of Ukraine and monitoring of emergency situations.

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Ukrainian Dnepr launch vehicle. (Credit: ISC Kosmotras)

UKRAINE SPACE AGENCY PR — On February 28, 2012 in the UNIA “Ukrinform” held a press conference on the 20th anniversary of the National Space Agency of Ukraine with the participation of the President of the National Space Agency of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine Yuri Sergeyevich Alekseyev, and the first director of the National Space Agency of Ukraine, member of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Academician Vladimir Pavlovich Horbulin.

National Space Agency of Ukraine was established February 29, 1992 by Presidential Decree of LM Kravchuk. This has allowed Ukraine to begin forming their own state policy in the exploration and use of outer space.

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Ukraine's Cyclone rocket

The National Space Agency of Ukraine is looking to foster the “development of public-private partnership [and the] deepening the commercialization of space activities and international cooperation” as part of a series of changes to the nation’s space policy.

“For the first time to finance the program is envisaged to raise funds from other sources in amounts that make up about a third of the necessary funding and the development and implementation of public-private partnership,” according to a press released posted on the space agency’s website.

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International Space Station

Russia is marketing a six-month stay aboard its segment of the International Space Station for $140 to 150 million, according to the National Space Agency of Ukraine.

These were the prices quoted last year during talks with Roscosmos officials about spending a Ukrainian cosmonaut-researcher to ISS, according to a statement on the NSAU site dated today.

“According to the Russian side, the cost of training and the flight of our compatriot as part of the Expedition to the ISS, duration of 150-170 days is estimated at 140 million dollars U.S.,” the press statement said.

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The National Space Agency of Ukraine has posted an interesting Q&A with Chairman Yuri Alekseyev in which he discusses his organization’s key role in supplying rockets and space technologies worldwide. Ukraine inherited a great deal of Soviet space capability after that nation broke up, and it has maintained and expanded it despite periods of severe economic chaos. Ukraine’s rockets include the Zenit, Dnepr (Dnipro), and Cyclone-4.

Among the topics Alekseyev discussed include an increased role in Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Taurus II program and a joint venture to launch Cyclone-4 rockets from Brazil beginning in 2012.

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The first stage of Orbital Sciences Corporation's Taurus II vehicle is shipped out from Yuzhnoye design bureau in Ukraine. (Credt: Yuzhnoye)

After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, newly independent Ukraine was left with some significant space assets from which to build  a national program. Ukrainian companies build the Zenit, Cyclone and Dnepr launch vehicles that are used for satellite delivery. The nation also recently shipped the first stage for Orbital Sciences Corporation’s new Taurus II rocket.  Ukrainian companies contribute to the construction of Russian Soyuz and Progress vehicles, which ferry crews and supplies to the International Space Station. Ukraine also has the capability of building satellites and defense systems and has ground receiving stations.

The National Space Agency of Ukraine under Dr. Yuriy Alekseyev oversees the country’s space efforts.  Although overshadowed by its larger Russian counterpart, Roscosmos,  the NSAU is building on its Soviet-era foundation in an effort to become a force in international space.  The agency has continued to move forward despite funding difficulties, a global recession, and the bankruptcy of the Sea Launch consortium that uses the Zenit rocket. The nation, whose commercial space industry totaled $254 million in 2009, remains heavily dependent upon the Russian market although it is making major efforts at increasing its international cooperation and standing.

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A couple of recent reports from Interfax highlight the growing cooperation between Ukraine and rising economic power Brazil. The two nations are working on the Tsyklon-4 (Cyclone-4), which is set to launch from Brazil at the end of next year.

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