Article Posted on : - Oct 05, 2010

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): The European Space Agency will launch two of its scientific satellites on board Russia's Rokot carrier rockets in 2012-13.

The space agency has inked a deal with Russia in this regard, according to a media report.

“We have signed contracts for two launches of ESA remote sensing satellites on Russia’s Rokot carrier rockets,” Rene Pischel, the head of the ESA Moscow Office, was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

While one of the satellites is ‘SWARM’ which will survey the geomagnetic field of Earth, the other satellite is yet to be known, the ESA official said.

The Rokot launch vehicle is a converted version of Russia’s SS-19 Stiletto intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The rocket is capable of launching a payload of 1,950 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit.

The three-stage liquid fuelled rocket has a spacious payload compartment allowing large size satellites to be accommodated.

The launch vehicle has been operational since the 1990s and has successfully placed in orbit over 25 spacecraft.