MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has launched a Meridian communications satellite on Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Space Centre in northern Russia, the Ministry of Defence said.
The rocket was successfully launched at 4:43 a.m. Moscow time (01:43 GMT), RIA Novosti quoted Col. Alexei Zolotukhin, a spokesperson for Russia's Aerospace Defence Forces as saying.
According to the report, this is the fourth time that a Soyuz-2 rocket was launched from the Plesetsk space centre this year.
The Soyuz-2 three-stage carrier rocket is an upgraded version of the Soyuz rocket, which has been used in Russia's manned and unmanned space programs since the 1960s.
Soyuz-2 can carry a payload of 7,800 kilograms into the Earth's orbit and 4,500 kilograms into higher orbits. Soyuz-2.1a, a three-stage carrier rocket with a digital flight control system, was first launched in 2011, the report said.
Russia launches Meridian Communication Satellite
Other Related News
US's Delta IV space rocket retires after making final launch
The Delta programme, spanning 60 years, has come to a close with the launch of the final Delta IV Heavy rocket by United Launch Alliance on April 9 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article