It is possible that the Sea Launch launch platform will be relocated from California to the Far East. At least, according to the RIA Novosti online publication, this is what sources in the rocket and space industry say.
The Sea Launch project was developed in the early 1990s. The idea was to create a floating rocket and space complex capable of providing the most favorable conditions for carrier launches. As part of the project, a special base port was deployed in the United States (California, Long Beach), as well as the launch platform Odyssey and the assembly and command ship Sea Launch Commander were built.
Until 2014, more than 30 successful launches of spacecraft were made under the Sea Launch program, but then, for a number of reasons, the operation of the platform was suspended. In the spring of last year, S7 Group closed a deal to purchase the Sea Launch cosmodrome from the Energia rocket and space corporation.
The floating platform is now reported to be used for launches of a reusable commercial launch vehicle.". And this will require the relocation of the spaceport.
βIf the platform continues to be based in the United States, launching a new missile from it will be practically impossible - the agreement between Moscow and Washington provides only for launches of the Russian-Ukrainian Zenit missile, the production of which ceased in 2014,β RIA Novosti notes.
However, the final decision to change the location of the floating platform has not yet been made. S7 does not comment on this issue.
Source: 3dnews.ru