Start-1 is a Russian satellite launch vehicle based on the RT-2PM Topol, a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile developed by Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology.
Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology is a Russian (formerly Soviet) engineering and scientific research institute founded on May 13, 1946. The institute is located in the Otradnoye District in the north of Moscow. Previously, it was primarily focused on developing ballistic missiles and rockets to increase the nation's strategic deterrent capability. Today it is also involved in civilian projects and has modified some of its intercontinental ballistic missiles into launch vehicles to be used for satellites.
The Mozhayets 2 (Zeya, RS 16) satellite was a Russian Military experimental communications satellite launched on 4 March 1997. Zeya was named after the Zeya River, which is very close to its launch site, Cosmodrome Svobodniy. A Start-1.2 rocket transported it into orbit. This was the first satellite launched from this new Russian launch site in far eastern Russia.
Low Earth Orbit