A Soyuz-2.1a rocket was launched in the Arkhangelsk Region. Launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, it put into Earth orbit a spacecraft, the purpose and characteristics of which are not disclosed. The Russian Defense Ministry specified that the launch was successful – the rocket operated normally, and the satellite was accepted for control by the Air and Space Forces.
The Soyuz-2.1a medium-class launch vehicle was launched on Thursday, October 31, at 10:51 Moscow time, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch was performed by a combat formation of the space forces of the Russian Air Force. On its board was a spacecraft, the purpose of which is not reported. It is only known that the launch was conducted in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry.
Later, the Russian Ministry confirmed that the launch of the military satellite into the estimated orbit went normally. After the launch, Soyuz-2.1a was escorted through the ground-based automated control complex of Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Centre . Meanwhile, the spacecraft was taken for control by ground-based means of space forces.
“A stable telemetry link has been established and maintained with the spacecraft. Its onboard systems are functioning normally,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The Soyuz-2.1a launch was watched by students of several military schools – Krasnodar, Stavropol and North Caucasus. In addition, students of the Aksai Danila Efremov Cossack Cadet Corps were present there. Shortly before the event, they were allowed to visit the launch site. The students were also given a tour of the assembly and test building, as well as the Angara launch and technical complex.
The last time the launch from Plesetsk was reported on September 17. Then the Angara-1.2 light-class rocket was launched from the cosmodrome, which successfully delivered military satellites to the specified orbit. Their number and other details of the past launch were not given either.
