Space

Inmarsat, Sesat, Alfa, Iridium, Astra, Tempo, Panamasat, Telestar-5

The enterprise was founded in 1963 as Branch 2 of the Experimental Design Bureau OKB-52. Since its foundation till 1985 the enterprise was headed by Vladimir Baryshev, eminent designer and manager in the aerospace field, State and Lenin prize laureate. During this time the enterprise developed various technical complexes for boosters and spacecrafts constructed by General Designers V. Chelomey, T. Babakin, M. Reshetnev, V. Kovtunenko.

A number of units and systems was created for launch and technical complexes of Proton booster rocket. Over the 30 years all the systems provided rockets' successful preparation and launch.

In 1965, the enterprise was renamed Branch 2 of the Central Design Office for Machine Construction, and in 1991 it became the State Scientific-Engineering Enterprise OKB "Vympel". Over the 35 years of its operation, more than thousand unique units, systems and complexes for the purposes of space research and Russia defense capacity strengthening were created. Developed complexes consist of handling, stand, assembly-joining, pneumatic-vacuum, transport, checkout equipment used when preparing and launching multi-purpose spacecrafts.

Since 1994 GNIP OKB "Vympel" has been incorporated in Russian Space Agency.

In 1995, Dr. Dmitry Dragun, corresponding member of Russian Engineering Academy, has been promoted to director general and designer general of GNIP OKB "Vympel".

The equipment developed by GNIP OKB "Vympel" is constantly improving by: creating universal units and systems; extending their capabilities; wide using of recent materials and components; degrading the labour input in space technology preparation; enhancing the reliability and warranty operating period of the equipment.

The individual systems providing properly functioning of Proton booster rocket on the launch pad are also developing and improving.

Structure

GNIP OKB "Vympel" structurally consists of the following departments:

GNIP OKB "Vympel" exploits the potentialities of special-purpose experimental bases of Russian space agency and adjacent branches. Additional fields of activity

Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Space Agency, State Enterprise Central Design Bureau for Heavy Engineering, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow Heat-Engineering Institute, Korolev Rocket Space Corporation Energiya, Lavochkin Research and Production Association, General Engineering Design Bureau, Research and Production Association for Applied Mechanics, Design Bureau Salyut, Design Bureau Yugznoe, Design Bureau for Transportation Engineering, Design Bureau for Chemical Transportation Engineering, State Experimental Design Bureau Projector, Obukhov State Factory, Central Research Institute for Engineering, Research and Production Association for Engineering, Design Bureau for Special Engineering, Design Bureau Motor, Moscow Mechanical Factory Vympel.