spacetoday.net: Dnepr launches more than 30 satellites

Posted: Fri, Nov 22, 2013, 6:50 AM ET (1150 GMT)
Dnepr launch of DubaiSat-2 and 31 other satellites (Kosmotras)

A Dnepr rocket placed a payload of more than 30 small satellites into orbit on Thursday, breaking a record for the most satellites launched at once that had been set just earlier this week. The Dnepr rocket, a converted SS-18 ICBM, lifted off from the Yazny Launch Base in southern Russia at 2:10 am EST (0710 GMT) Thursday. Kosmtras, the company that markets the Dnepr for satellite launches, declared the launch a success. The rocket was carrying a total of 32 satellites, including satellites inside other spacecraft that will be deployed once in orbit. Notable satellites on the launch include the DubaiSat-2 remote sensing satellite, weighing 300 kilograms; STSat-3 for South Korea, weighing 170 kilograms; and Sky-Sat-1, a 90-kilogram satellite for American commercial remote sensing company Skybox Imaging. Also included in the fleet of CubeSats launched by the Dnepr are the Dove-3 and -4 satellites for another commercial remote sensing company, Planet Labs. The 32 satellites launched broke the record of 29 satellites launched Tuesday night on a Minotaur rocket from Virginia.