Article Posted on : - Nov 07, 2014

A file photo of converted RS-20B ICBM launch. Courtesy: ISC Kosmotras

MOSCOW (BNS): A converted RS-20B (SS-18 Satan) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) of Russia has successfully placed in orbit five Japanese satellites on Thursday.

The rocket, carrying an ASNARO-1 Earth observation satellite and four university-made micro-satellites, was launched as part of the joint Russia-Ukraine Dnepr programme.

The launch, carried out at 0735 GMT from the Yasny missile launch site in central Russia, was executed by the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces along with the support of the Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakhstan organisations, which are part of the ISC Kosmotras industrial team.

ISC Kosmotras, which commercially operates the RS-20 ICBMs under the Dnepr programme, confirmed the successful insertion of all five satellites in their target orbits.

The Dnepr programme, established by Russia and Ukraine in the 1990s, converts decommissioned RS-20 ICBMs into carrier rockets to put satellites into low Earth orbit.