Zhukovsky (Moscow Region), August 28. – The 1st launch of Soyuz-2.1v light booster from Plesetsk spaceport is planned for November-December 2013, – Progress State Research and Production Space centre Director General Alexander Kirilin reported at MAKS 2013 International Airshow.

Aerospace Defense Troops Commander major-general Alexander Golovko reported earlier that the launch was scheduled for October.

“In October we will send the second rocket to Plesetsk spaceport and that one being now there return for further developing. We had some technical problems, but they are already solved and we will ensure the launch of the 1st rocket late this year. That problem was connected with soot formation on one of the engines during the burning”.

According to him it will take time to overhaul the launchpad used for Soyuz-2.1b launch with “Meridian” military satellite so that it was suitable for Soyuz-2.1v with “Aist” small satellite and space device for Ministry of Defense as payload. He specified that “Meridian” will be launched late October or early November this year. Soyuz-2.1v is planned to be launched short after “Meridian’ launch, that is in November-December, – Kirilin added.

TsSKB Director General also stated that Soyuz-2.1v will be also launched in the first quarter of 2014 with Russian satellite “Lomonosov” constructed by students.