Rokot K

Rockot K

Mission Profile

Rokot K is a Russian small-lift orbital launch vehicle derived from the UR-100N ICBM, developed in the late Soviet era as a cost-effective way to repurpose decommissioned strategic missiles for commercial satellite launches. Standing 29.2 meters tall with a liftoff mass of 107,000 kg, it generates 1,870 kN of thrust across its 2-3 stages and delivers up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit. It made its maiden flight in November 1990 and was operated jointly by Khrunichev and the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Rokot K program exemplified the post-Cold War conversion of ballistic missile hardware into affordable orbital launch vehicles, bridging the gap between Soviet-era military infrastructure and commercial space services.