Kalashnikov Drones to be Used to Search For Jettisonable Carrier Rocket Sections

Kalashnikov Drones to be Used to Search For Jettisonable Carrier Rocket Sections

Unmanned systems manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern-affiliated ZALA AERO started searching for jettisonable rocket boosters at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) under the contract with the Center for Operation of Ground Based Space Infrastructure of Roscosmos State Corporation.

Until recently, manned helicopters were used to search for burned out launch vehicle stages. This method of finding potentially harmful to the environment separable booster sections is costly and time-consuming. Besides, it is complicated due to large search areas and severe climate conditions such as strong winds and low temperatures.

The use of the unmanned ZALA 421-16E, ZALA 421-16E2 systems has increased efficiency and reduced the search time several times. An unmanned aerial vehicle has undeniable advantages in terms of safety, since the risk of manned aircraft falling in bad weather conditions is eliminated.

In the daytime the 60-x optical zoom camera enables operators to examine the search area and the fragments characteristics in detail as well as to specify the exact coordinates for the ground search team. At the same time, aerial photography of each square of the area with a 42 Mp camera is done in the search area to exclude any undiscovered fragments of the carrier rocket in this zone.

Thermal imaging makes it possible to carry out search at night, and a purpose-specific Isotherm mode helps quickly and accurately detect objects in a given temperature range.

ZALA AERO specialists have a wide experience as ZALA AERO drones have been used at the Baikonur Cosmodrome since 2011.