Russian Launch Services, which provides commercial launches using the solid-propellant Start 1 booster based on the former Topol intercontinental ballistic missile, is negotiating with Italy to use the San Marco sea-based platform for equatorial launches. Based off the Kenyan coast, the platform was used for 20 launches between 1964 and 1988, but is in need of repair.
The San Marco platform was to have been used for the Italian-led European Scout 2-Vega project, which was cancelled. Start 1 launches cost $8 million and there has been one test flight from Plestesk, in March 1993, followed by four commercial flights from Svobodny, the last one in February 2001. There was also one basic Start launch from Plesetsk that failed in March 1995, with the loss of three small satellites.
TIM FURNISS/LONDON
Source: Flight International