Фото: Роскосмос.
On December 28 at 16:18 (UTC+3), a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Amur Region, carrying the Aist-2T satellites No. 1 and No. 2, as well as 50 spacecraft for various purposes, the press service of Roscosmos reported.
The Aist satellites separated from the Fregat upper stage about one hour after launch, while the other spacecraft separated in groups. The total deployment time was around five hours, the press service said.
Among the spacecraft sent into space was a Belarusian satellite. The launch was personally observed by Vladimir Karanik, head of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. He also inspected construction facilities at the cosmodrome and met with Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov.
The sides discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in the space sector, the press service noted.
It was also reported that, together with the Belarusian spacecraft, scientific and technological satellites from organizations in Russia and friendly countries (Iran, Belarus, Ecuador) were launched. Educational satellites were manufactured in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Samara, Nizhny Novgorod and Amur regions, as well as in Yakutia.