KIEV (Ukraine State Space Agency PR) — On June 26, 2020, the second stage of the final refinement tests of the single-chamber liquid rocket engine RD861K, developed by SE Pivdenne and manufactured by VO PMZ, was successfully completed at stand No. 1 of VO PMZ.
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DNIPRO, Ukraine (Yuzhnoye SDO/Maritime Launch Services PR) — The Cyclone 4 fully-integrated upper stage, destined for the Cyclone 4M rocket to be launched from Nova Scotia, Canada, has successfully undergone the 7000 series qualification profile on August 23, 2019. This was followed by a second full duration burn profile on August 30, 2019.
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The CBC reports that the Nova Scotia Environmental Department has given an approval with conditions for the construction of a spaceport where Ukrainian Cylcone 4M launch vehicles would operate.
Environment Minister Gordon Wilson said he was satisfied any significant environmental effects of the Maritime Launch Services (MLS) project could be mitigated with compliance to the department’s conditions.
“I think we’ve made the right decision on ensuring that all the environmental impacts and the safety of the people in the area have been looked at and addressed in the terms of conditions of this approval,” said Wilson.
“Our staff did a very good job in engaging consultants who were understanding of this type of activity.”
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Concerns about hydrazines, chemicals that will be used as rocket propellant, were among the main issues raised by the department.
Among the conditions, MLS will be required to submit information on expected air emissions of pollutants during regular operations and worst-case scenarios, including the maximum distance downwind that would need to be evacuated.
Nova Scotia has said that Maritime Launch Services must address a range of environmental concerns about the proposed Canso Spaceport Facility before provincial authorities will approve the project, Canadian media report.
In the documents provided Wednesday, Neil Morehouse, a manager in the province’s Environment Department, says there is little in the proposal addressing how an explosion, crash or fuel leak would affect the nearby Canso Coastal Barrens Wilderness Area.
Morehouse says a spill would “destroy the impacted ecosystems with no chance of recovery within the next several hundred years.”
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Construction of a spaceport in Nova Scotia where Ukrainian Cyclone 4M boosters would be launched has been delayed.
Stephen Matier, president of Maritime Launch Services, had hoped to break ground this month on the $200-million project on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore.
But Matier now says the rocket launch site in Canso likely won’t start being developed until later this year — although he was hesitant to impose any new timeline….
Matier said his company will submit an environment assessment to the province within the next month. That assessment will also go to Nova Scotia’s Natural Resources Department as part of the land lease application….
Matier said the company is still aiming for the first round of satellite launches to begin in 2021.
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HALIFAX, NS – DNIPRO, Ukraine (MLS PR) — Maritime Launch Services (MLS) Ltd., established in Halifax, is pleased to announce it has committed to a launch site location following a study of prospective sites across North America. An exhaustive review was conducted which assessed 14 potential locations over the last year.The preferred site is located in the Guysborough Municipality near Canso and Hazel Hill in Nova Scotia, Canada and would host a commercial launch complex for the Cyclone 4M orbital launch vehicle from Ukraine. The criteria evaluated through the study included access to polar/sun synchronous orbit, very low population density, proximity to multimodal transportation, and interest from the community, province and government.
