OREANDA-NEWS. September 25, 2014. The Samara plant of Kuznetsov, a subsidiary of United Engine Corporation, held talks with representatives of Swiss Space Systems (S3).

The partners discussed the prospects of using the NK-39 cruise rocket engine (NK-33 prototype) to launch a European suborbital shuttle from an airborne platform. A service contract may be concluded in the near future between the Russian and Swiss parties whereby Kuznetsov experts will carry out design work to adapt the NK-39 for use in Swiss Space Systems (S3) developments.

"The talks that have taken place have fostered the start of future cooperation, but it is now already obvious that our Swiss partners have a strong interest in working together with us. The NK-39 liquid-fuel rocket engine, which runs on kerosene and liquid oxygen, is able to address the company's objectives," noted Kuznetsov CEO Nikolay Yakushin.

Following the meeting, S3 CEO Pascal Jaussi and Kuznetsov CEO Nikolay Yakushin signed a report that details an ordered list of separate joint steps that the parties will perform through the end of this year.

Swiss Space Systems (S3) is actively making progress on the creation of a small satellite launch system based on the use of Airbus carrier aircraft and a SOAR reusable suborbital rocket plane, whose first flight is planned for 2018. Currently the company's engineers have completed the Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review.

Kuznetsov is a leading Russian engine manufacturer that designs, manufactures, repairs and maintains aircraft, ground and rocket engines. It is part of the United Engine Corporation. The company consists of three key divisions: a design bureau, a factory for the mass production of engines and unique testing facilities.

The United Engine Corporation includes more than 85% of the leading companies specializing in the design, mass production and servicing of gas turbine equipment, and it also includes key aggregators in the industry. One of the priority areas of activity is the implementation of comprehensive programs for the development of industry enterprises through the introduction of new technologies that meet international standards.