Article Posted on : - Jul 18, 2011

Zenith-3M launcher with Fregat-SB upper stage and Russian astrophysical observatory Spectrum-R lifted off from Baikonur�s pad 45 on July 18. Photo: Roscosmos

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian space agency has successfully launched a Zenith-3M rocket with an observation satellite on Monday.

The rocket with a Fregat-SB upper stage and Russian astrophysical observatory Spectrum-R was launched at 0231 hrs GMT, from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, the space agency said.

The separation of the spacecraft from the upper stage and the delivery of the Spectrum-R into the target orbit is expected to be complete at 0631 hrs GMT.

Spectrum-R was designed under the Radioastron international project by prime contractor Lavochkin R&D. Scientific payloads were developed by the Astro Space Center of Lebedev Physical Institute, it said.