Soyuz-2.1b medium booster with Glonass-M navigational satellite was successfully launched from Plesetsk spaceport in Arkhangelsk region, – Ministry of Defence press office reported.
It was the first Soyuz-2.1b booster launched from Plesetsk in 2016.
“On Sunday at 03:21, Moscow time, Aerospace Defence operational crews successfully launched Soyuz-2.1b medium booster with Glonass-M navigational satellite”, – official message says.
The launch was performed under command of Russian Aerospace Force colonel-general Victor Bondarev. According to Ministry of Defence off prelaunch operations took place according to the schedule.
“Soyuz-2.1b space head comprising Fregat upper stage and Glonass-M satellite nominally separated from booster’s 3rd stage at 03:31 as planned”.
The satellite already entered final orbit and established communication with the Earth. Space Forces took control over it.
First testing of Soyuz-2 booster started at Plesetsk spaceport on November 8, 2004. For the last twelve years 25 Soyuz-2 boosters of various types (1a, 1b and 1v) have been launched from the spaceport.
16 Soyuz boosters were launched from Baikonur and 13 – from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.
