UKRAINIAN-CANADIAN CYCLONE-4M SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM: WAYS OF PRODUCTION AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The basic business plan components for the project of creating Ukrainian-Canadian Cyclone- 4M SLS were studied. It was noted that the goal of the project is to create a private space launch system without governmental funding from Ukraine and Canada. The American company Maritime Launch Services Ltd. (MLS) is to provide its own funds as well as financial investments from commercial sources for the project. The results of analyzing the demand in the world market of launch services in the segment of injection of spacecraft into sun-synchronous orbits (SSO) and low-earth orbits (LEO) were given. The increased demand for launch services in this segment was mentioned. According to assessment carried out by MLS, the profitability of the project can be achieved if no less than eight successful commercial launches of spacecraft are to be performed annually. The launch vehicle was distinguished from the other existing systems: Cyclone-4M LV is to be made on the basis of the main launch vehicles Zenith, Cyclone, and Dnepr previously developed. Millions of dollars were spent to develop these LV and innovative capabilities of the native and foreign space industries were invested in them. Each of these systems underwent the entire cycle of ground and flight testing. This approach will facilitate the significant reduction of expenses for LV development and increase its flight reliability. It was noted that Cyclone-4M LV is capable of performing cluster injection of spacecraft into several destination orbits by one launch. The entirely environmentally friendly fuel components are expected to be used with the LV. The results of MLS preparation activities for the launch site construction were presented. It was shown that the most reasonable placement of a launch site is an area near Canso city (Guysborough County) in the Nova Scotia, is one of Canada’s provinces. This location of the launch site will permit to transport launch vehicles and spacecraft to the launch site at small expenses as well as to suffer minimal consequences in the event of possible launch accidents. The launch site location was preliminarily agreed with the municipal and federal authorities of Canada. It was noted that the construction of the launch site was planned to start in the first half of 2018.