Soyuz 2 test launch a success
Posted: Tue, Nov 9, 2004, 7:58 AM ET (1258 GMT)
The first launch of the upgraded version of Russia's Soyuz rocket has been declared a success by Russian officials. The Soyuz 2-1a lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia at 1:30 pm EST (1830 GMT, 9:30 pm Moscow time) Monday, carrying a test satellite, Oblik. There were conflicting reports whether Oblik was actually placed in orbit, but Russian reports Tuesday indicated that the spacecraft reentered over the Pacific Ocean eight minutes after liftoff, as planned. The Soyuz 2 features a number of improvements over the existing booster, including a new digital control system, although planned improvements such as an enhanced third-stage engine and enlarged payload fairing will not be incorporated until the Soyuz 2-1b version, scheduled for launch in mid-2006.
The first launch of the upgraded version of Russia's Soyuz rocket has been declared a success by Russian officials. The Soyuz 2-1a lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia at 1:30 pm EST (1830 GMT, 9:30 pm Moscow time) Monday, carrying a test satellite, Oblik. There were conflicting reports whether Oblik was actually placed in orbit, but Russian reports Tuesday indicated that the spacecraft reentered over the Pacific Ocean eight minutes after liftoff, as planned. The Soyuz 2 features a number of improvements over the existing booster, including a new digital control system, although planned improvements such as an enhanced third-stage engine and enlarged payload fairing will not be incorporated until the Soyuz 2-1b version, scheduled for launch in mid-2006.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
US and UK militaries conduct coordinated satellite maneuvers
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:30 AM ET (1230 GMT) Blue Origin retires a New Shepard capsule after payload flight
Posted: Sun, Sep 21 8:25 AM ET (1225 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 15
United Schedules First Starlink-Equipped Mainline Flight for Take Off
PR Newswire — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Eutelsat Network Solutions Unveils New Brand Identity for EACOWT
PR Newswire — 7:52 am ET (1152 GMT) Final Environmental Impact Statement Issued for Planned Increase of Vandenberg Rocket Launches
KEYT-TV Santa Barbara, CA — 7:51 am ET (1151 GMT) SpaceX’s megarocket finds redemption after explosive failures. But time may be running out
CNN — 7:46 am ET (1146 GMT) K2 Space Corp, SpaceX ink Falcon 9 rocket deal for 2027 mission
UPI — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) |
