First ever booster with three satellites was successfully launched from Vostochny spaceport. All systems operated nominally, satellites were orbited and separated from the booster.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was observing the launch at the spaceport and congratulated specialists.
First in the history of Vostochny Soyuz-2.1a booster with three Russian satellites initially was to be launched on April 27 at 05:01, Moscow time, but automatics cancelled the launch.
As a result the launch was postponed by 1 day and took place on April 28, 5:01, Moscow time.
Soyuz-2.1a booster with new Volga insertion unit launched from at the present time the only launchpad of Vostochny spaceport successfully orbited Aist-2D space device, “Mihhailo Lomonosov” research satellite of MSU and SamSat-218D nanosatellite.
Anyway Baikonur is also important for Russia. Proton boosters will be launch from Baikonur as well as Soyuz manned spacecrafts.
Roscosmos Head Igor Komarov reported that to provide for nominal Soyuz-2.1a launch the specialists had to replace the cables and switching unit. On the whole there were 20 deviations found after the launch and spaceport specialists are working to eliminate them.
All-in-all we are satisfied with the operation of launchpad systems, – Komarov said.
Putting Vostochny spaceport into operation will solve several problems of Russian rocket and space industry.
One of Vostochny’s main advantages in comparison with Baikonur is that there is no need in huge impact zones since the stages will fall in non-navigation region of the ocean.
New spaceport will also help Russia in the Far East development.
