The three satellites put into orbit are of the Kosmos series aimed for military communication. Plesetsk Cosmodrome is located in Arkhangelsk Oblast and is used for lauchning of lighter rockets than Russia’s space centre Baikonour in Kazhakstan. The rocket used on Tuesday is a modified version of the military intercontinental ballistic missile RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto).
Yesterday’s launch was originally scheduled for December 8, but was postponed due to malfunctions in the booster, reports RIA Novosti.
The strategically important Plesetsk Cosmodrome last year got €121 million for infrastructure and development upgrade, as previously reported by BarentsObserver.