Sea Launch’s platform. Photo: Sea Launch

[Via Satellite 09-28-2016] S7 Group, the largest private aviation holding company in Russia, has agreed to purchase Sea Launch, operator of the Zenit launch system.

The transaction requires the approval of U.S. government agencies, namely the Directorate of Defense Trade Control within the Department of State, and the Foreign Investment Committee of the United States (CFIUS). Sea Launch and S7 Group expect this process could take several months.

In conjunction with this purchase agreement, S7 Group also signed a deal with S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia to resume Sea Launch operations. In 2014, Sea Launch took its Launch Commander and Odyssey vessels out of service, and reduced the company’s head count. Energia has now agreed to provide S7 Group with the necessary engineering and launch support, as well as system integration services to revitalize Sea Launch, which had its last mission in May 2014.