December 20, 2002
www.transorbital.net
Contact: Dennis Laurie, 858.455.5900
Email: dlaurie@transorbital.net
TRANSORBITAL ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL MOON TEST LAUNCH;
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 commercial lunar mission “Trailblazer” structural test article satellite at 8pm, Moscow time. The launch represents a major milestone in TransOrbital’s much-anticipated routine lunar delivery service. This test article allowed TransOrbital to test the interface between TransOrbital and ISC Kosmotras, the interface between the spacecraft and the Dnepr launch vehicle, downlink telemetry, and various aspects of the launch process.
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. The 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 only 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 today’s 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.
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(PROJECT PHOTOS AND HEADSHOTS AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FILE FORMAT)
About TransOrbital, Inc, (www.transorbital.net)
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)