Now Ready for Routine Moon Travel in October 2003
SAN DIEGO -TransOrbital, Inc and International Space company
(ICS)Kosmotras today announced a “perfect launch” of TransOrbital’s
“Trailblazer” satellite at 8pm Russian time. The launch represents a
major milestone in TransOrbitals much -anticipated routine lunar
delivery service.
Today’s launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan of the
“Trailblazer” into low Earth orbit was pronounced a total success by
TransOrbital president Dennis Laurie. The mission was designed to test
rocket separation, downlink telemetry, spacecraft orientation and mass
properties in preparation for the formal lunar launch.
Vladimir A Andreev, Director General of ICS Kosmotras said “We are
excited about teaming with TransOrbital’s first commercial development
of the Moon. ICS Kosmotras Dnepr LV SS-18 ICBM provides a proven cost
effective technology for lunar launches.
TransOrbital is on target to begin routine Moon travel starting in
October 2003. Laurie stated “Significant commercial demand exists for
high definition (HD) video, lunar mapping, data storage, scientific research,
communications, and data archiving. Many corporate marketers see their
products associated with the first commercial missions to the Moon”.
“Additionally, there is worldwide demand from private citizens to send
personal items such as photographs, legal documents, business cards,
burial ashes, and jewelry to the Moon”
TransOrbital is the first and onnly commercial company licensed by the
U.S. Department of State, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration(NOAA) for private sector flights to the Moon.
Sir Arthur C. Clarke noted visionary and renowned writer praised todays
mission and commented “all good wishes on TransOrbital’s successful
TrailBlazer launch”
Support for the Trailblazer program has been provided by a number of
companies including Lunar Enterprise Corporation and Space Age
Publishing
TransOrbital, Inc. is a privately owned supplier of aerospace design,
analysis and launch services. Established in 1998, TransOrbital is the
first company of its kind authorized by the U. S. government to photograph,
explore and land on the lunar surface. The 2003 Trailblazer spacecraft’s
primary mission is to return HDTV video and other multimedia content
from lunar orbit to market as commercial products, as well as the delivery of
both personal and commercial cargo to the moon.
About International Space Company (ICS) Kosmotras (www.kosmotras.com/ru)
ICS Kosmotras is a private supplier of launch vehicles. ICS Kosmotras
provides launch vehicles for many companies and countries around the
world.
ICS Kosmotras activities under the Dnepr program are covered by special
decrees by both the Russian and Ukrainian governments. The Dnepr LV is
the worlds most powerful SS-18 ICBM. Unique for a light class launch
vehicle, the Dnepr is able to deliver 3,500 – 4000 kg of payload into
low earth orbit.
Point of Contact:
TransOrbital
Tel: 858-455-5900 or 703-960-5953
Fax: 858-455-5979 or 603-619-5538
E-mail: at dlaurie@transorbital.net.
Further information may be found at the TransOrbital website:
www.transorbital.net
ICS Kosmotras
Tel: +7(095) 745-72-58
Fax: +7(095) 956-1619
Email: info@kosmotras.ru
Further Information may be found at the ICS Kosmotras website:
www.kosmotras.com
