Russia has no space launches planned for January 2014, but three planned for February. All these launches will take place from Baikonur spaceport, – the spokesman for aerospace industry reported on Friday. “Preparation works for Soyuz-U booster launch with progress-M cargo vehicle are subject to preservation till January 10, 2014. Then it will be resumed. According to preliminary data the launch is scheduled for February 5, 2014, – the spokesman noted.
According to him preparations for Proton-M launch with TurkSat-4A satellite will start at Baikonur spaceport mid-January. This launch is planned for February 10, 2014”, – he stated. Besides RS-18 booster launch with Kondor-E space device was shifted from November 2013 to February 27, 2014. Tha launch will also take place from Baikonur spaceport.
As was reported earlier Russia has 5 launches planned by the end of 2013 with two launches taking place from Baikonur spaceport at that (Inmarsat-5F1 launched with the help of Proton-M booster on December 8, 2013 and Express-AM-5 also launched by Proton-M on December 26, 2013).
Roscosmos also takes part in preparation works for 2 launches from Plesetsk spaceport (Soyuz-2-1v booster launch with SKRL/Aist satellite on December 23 and Rokot booster launch with military satellite on December 25). Furthermore the Russian side takes part in European “Gaia” space telescope launch with help of Soyuz-ST-B from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on December 19.