Space Forces to Launch Up to 8 Rockets in 2005

MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) – Russia’s Space Forces plan to launch no fewer than eight rockets in 2005, the Space Forces press service told Interfax on Friday.

“According to Major General Alexander Kvasnikov, the first deputy chief for the Space Forces, the planned number of launches in the current year is to remain at the same level as in 2004,” a spokesman said.

The press service said an addition was expected in 2005 to the orbital group working for the benefit of Russian military and civil higher schools and academies.

“This is about the launching of a research device, the Mozhaets- 5, designed by the Mozhaisk Military Space Academy, and a satellite, designed by specialists of the Moscow Bauman State Technical University,” the service said.