ISC Kosmotras – Launch Operator Summary

ISC Kosmotras (International Space Company Kosmotras) is a joint Russian-Ukrainian launch service provider that specializes in commercial satellite launches using the converted Dnepr launch vehicle, which is based on the decommissioned Soviet-era RS-20 (NATO: SS-18 “Satan”) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

🚀 Company Overview

• Founded: 1997
• Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
• Launch Vehicle: Dnepr (converted RS-20/SS-18 ICBM)
• Primary Launch Sites:
o Yasny Launch Base, Dombarovsky Air Base, Russia
o Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

📜 History & Background

ISC Kosmotras was established as a commercial partnership between Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, with the aim of converting military ICBMs into reliable and cost-effective space launch vehicles. The idea was to repurpose decommissioned RS-20 missiles under international disarmament agreements into civilian space transportation systems.
The company quickly gained a reputation for launching low-cost, high-capacity rideshare missions, particularly for small satellites, CubeSats, and research payloads. The Dnepr rocket became well-known for its ability to deploy multiple satellites in a single launch, making it a popular choice for international customers.

🛰️ Launch Highlights

• First Launch: April 21, 1999
• Notable Multi-Satellite Launches:
o Dnepr Cluster Mission (June 19, 2014): Successfully launched 37 satellites for 17 countries — a record at the time for the number of payloads delivered in one mission.
o Other customers have included: NASA, ESA, commercial operators like Planet Labs, Spire Global, and university consortia from Europe, Asia, and South America.

🔑 Key Points

• Dual-purpose capability: Leveraged Cold War-era missile technology for peaceful, commercial space access.
• Cost-effective: Known for providing affordable access to space for small satellite developers and academic institutions.
• International collaboration: Launched payloads for a wide range of international space agencies, startups, and universities.
• Operational challenges: Political tensions between Russia and Ukraine have disrupted operations, with launches becoming less frequent after 2015.
• Retirement of Dnepr: As of the late 2010s, the Dnepr program has largely been phased out due to geopolitical issues and aging hardware.

ISC Kosmotras played a vital role in opening space access to a wide range of international partners through its innovative use of repurposed ICBM technology. Though its activity has declined in recent years, the company’s legacy continues to influence modern Rideshare launch models.

Rideshare missions by ISC Kosmotras