Russia Overuns USA and Europe in the Number of Launches in 2008
Russia launched 27 LVs this year, thus confirming its first place in the world.
Today`s launch of Proton-M with three Glonass-M satellites aboard became the 27-th for Russia this year.
Most of Russian launchers in 2008 lifted off from Baikonur (19), which is rented from Kazakhstan for $115 mln. per year. Then, there comes Plesetsk (6), Yasny (1) and Kapustin Yar (1).
Proton-M made 9 successfull launches; one launch was made by Proton-K and one by Rockot; all three produced by Khrunichev Space Center. Then, Soyuz-U, Soyuz-FG and Soyuz-2 made 8 launches and Molniya-M made one launch (these are manufactured by TSKB-Progress). Cosmos-3M produced by Polyot comany, Omsk, was flown three times. Russian-Ukranian Dnepr (2) and Zenith (1) come next.
In addition, 5 Zenith-SL rockets were launched from the Sea Launch platform.
The USA launched 14 LVs this year, including 4 shuttles.
Then goes China with 11 rockets flown, and Europe with six.
Roscosmos Press Office notes that launch services represent high technology similar to those used for nano-production. Roscosmos is not inclined to step back in this area, even during the world crisis.
[roscosmos]