Russia sends new military satellite into space
By RIA Novosti, IANSThursday, January 28, 2010
MOSCOW - Russia sent a new military satellite into space Thursday intended to improve communication facilities.
The Raduga-series satellite was launched with a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan, said Alexei Zolotukhin, a spokesman for the Space Forces.
Space Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko said the satellite “is a new project that will help significantly increase the capabilities of the space communication system”.
Russia reportedly operates a constellation of 60-70 military satellites with reconnaissance, missile early warning and other capabilities.
Ostapenko said Russia would be using new-generation Angara-class carrier rockets for launches from the Plesetsk centre to reduce Moscow’s dependence on Baikonur, the main launch facility for the current generation of Russian rockets.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
