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"Soyuz-2.1b" launched an unknown Ministry of Defence spacecraft from Plesetsk - its purpose not disclosed

The military department confirmed the normal deployment of the device and the establishment of stable telemetry communication with it

The "Soyuz-2.1b" launch vehicle successfully delivered a spacecraft into its target orbit for the Russian Ministry of Defence, though the military department did not disclose its purpose. The launch took place from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, after which the spacecraft was taken under control by ground facilities of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces.

Launch of the "Soyuz-2.1b" launch vehicle Image source: Roscosmos Telegram channel // скриншот из видео пресс-службы Роскосмоса

The launch and deployment proceeded normally. After the launch, the rocket was tracked by ground automated control systems of the German Titov Main Test Space Center, and at the calculated time, the spacecraft reached its designated orbit.

Stable telemetry communication was established with the spacecraft. According to the Ministry of Defence, its onboard systems are functioning normally, while the orbital parameters and technical characteristics of the spacecraft are also not disclosed.

The launch is part of a series of military space missions from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Unlike civilian space missions, where the purpose and characteristics of the payload are usually announced in advance, the Ministry of Defence in this case limited itself to announcing the launch of a spacecraft in the interests of the department.

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