Posted: Fri, Apr 9, 2004, 1:54 PM ET (1754 GMT)
An upgraded version of Russia's Soyuz launch vehicle is scheduled to lift off for the first time in mid-October, Russian officials said this week. The maiden launch of the Soyuz 2, carrying a test payload called Oblik, is scheduled for October 15 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, according to an RIA Novosti article. The Soyuz 2 features upgraded first and second stages as well as a digital control system. The vehicle also has a larger four-meter payload fairing, with the capability of launching payloads 300 kilograms heavier than current Soyuz variants. Oblik is a satellite that report said was built "many years" ago but never launched because of financial problems. The satellite will be equipped with instrumentation to monitor the environment inside the vehicle during the launch. Russia plans to continue to use existing Soyuz vehicles for manned flights to the ISS as well as government and some commercial missions.

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•  RIA Novosti article