Russia To Set World Record With 39 Space Launches n 2009

Source: Ria Novosti

MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is planning to set a world record by conducting a total of 39 space launches in 2009 despite the current global financial crisis, the head of the Russian Space Agency said on Monday.

"We have scheduled a record number of launches for next year. We are planning to carry out 39 launches, half of them commercial and civilian satellites," Anatoly Perminov said.

Russia conducted 27 space launches in 2008 and 26 launches in 2007, becoming the world's leader in this sphere.

Perminov said Russia would meet all its obligations before international partners in a variety of joint space programs.

"Despite the difficulties created by the crisis, we are preparing to launch in 2009 four manned space missions instead of two, and we are planning to send six Progress cargo vehicles to the International Space Station instead of four," Russia's space chief said.

Perminov also said there were no changes in Russia's Glonass satellite program.

Read more: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081229/119210306.html

....the better you become....maybe the Chinese will sell us some launch vehicles on credit so we can keep up with the Russians?