15 Protons to be launched in 2002

[RedWhiteArcher]

Khrunichev plans to launch 15 Protons in 2002. This was reported by ITAR-TASS representetive in the centre.
 This dense schedular this year is explained by the shifting of part of the launches from 2001, when, for reasons beyond the control of the centre, the number of launches was cut to five. In 2002 the Proton launches will serve to the interest of commercial organizations, Defence ministry of the RF and Rosaviocosmos.
 The main goal of the centre for the near future is to end the gradual shift to the Proton-M modification with Breeze-M accelaration block. This is dictated by the market demand, where till 2015 a trend for mass increase is kept.
 Using Proton-M up 6t os payload can be put into LEO. Also in the first half of the 2002 the centre plans 3 launches of the Rokot. The flight tests finished in 2001 and the several commercial contracts already signed. The first launch will be in February.