Soyuz-2-1a FG - Meridian 3 - Launched 2010.Nov.2

[EarthlingX]

I have no official sources for this, but anyway :

http://www.russianspaceweb.com : Third Meridian mission

Continuing an ever increasing pace of its space program, Russia made a third attempt to orbit its newest generation satellite for military communications.

A Soyuz-2-1a rocket with the Fregat upper stage lifted off from Pad No. 4 at Site 43 in Plesetsk on Nov. 2, 2010, at 03:59 Moscow Time. Two minutes later, Russia's ground control network started tracking the vehicle, which successfully reached its initial orbit, official military sources said. According the Ministry of Defense spokesman, the separation of the payload from the upper stage was scheduled for 06:13 Moscow Time, as vehicles would be orbiting the Earth within communication range of the ground control network.

The Zvezda military TV channel and other official Russian sources identified the payload as Meridian. Unofficial posters on the online forum of Novosti Kosmonavtiki magazine reported that deployable elements onboard the satellite were successfully released and the spacecraft has established an orientation toward the Sun, thus ensuring its operational status.

Two previous Meridian missions were previously confirmed as failures.

In the post-launch interview with Zvezda channel, Aleksandr Kirilin, the head of TsSKB Progress said that the mission concluded the test flight program of the Soyuz-2-1a launch vehicle, clearing the way to the formal acceptance of the rocket into the armaments of the Russian military.

This page is maintained by Anatoly Zak

Last update: November 2, 2010

Wiki : 2010 in spaceflight - November

referencing RIA Novosti (Russian) , Google translated :

02/11/2010 04:11

MOSCOW, November 2 - RIA Novosti. Space Forces on Monday night conducted a successful launch of the Soyuz-2.1a "with the device" Meridian "on board, told RIA Novosti press-secretary of the Office of Press and Information Ministry of Defense by Space Force Lt. Col. Alexei Zolotukhin.

On Tuesday, 2 November, at 3.59 MSK with the launcher Number 4 Sq. № 43 state probation Plesetsk crews of the Space Forces successfully conducted missile launch support middle-class Soyuz-2.1a" with the spacecraft, "Meridian" - said Zolotukhin.

The launch took place in a normal mode, he said.

According to him, the general directing the launch, Chairman of the State Commission for the launch of the Space Forces commander, Lieutenant-General Oleg Ostapenko. To this end, he arrived on the eve of the launch site.

"At 01.04 MSK rocket Soyuz-2.1a" was taken to support means testing of the Main Center for Testing and control of space means to them. Titov. Estimated time of separation of the spacecraft - at 6.13 MSK in the zone of radio visibility of ground, "- said the spokesman.

 

[EarthlingX]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-hvEQQ_y2Y[/youtube]

Kowch737 | November 02, 2010

Continuing an ever increasing pace of its space program, Russia made a third attempt to orbit its newest generation satellite for military communications. A Soyuz-2-1a rocket with the Fregat upper stage lifted off from Pad No. 4 at Site 43 in Plesetsk on Nov. 2, 2010, at 03:59 Moscow Time. Two minutes later, Russia's ground control network started tracking the vehicle, which successfully reached its initial orbit, official military sources said. According the Ministry of Defense spokesman, the separation of the payload from the upper stage was scheduled for 06:13 Moscow Time, as vehicles would be orbiting the Earth within communication range of the ground control network. The Zvezda military TV channel and other official Russian sources identified the payload as Meridian. Unofficial posters on the online forum of Novosti Kosmonavtiki magazine reported that deployable elements onboard the satellite were successfully released and the spacecraft has established an orientation toward the Sun, thus ensuring its operational status. Two previous Meridian missions were previously confirmed as failures. In the post-launch interview with Zvezda channel, Aleksandr Kirilin, the head of TsSKB Progress said that the mission concluded the test flight program of the Soyuz-2-1a launch vehicle, clearing the way to the formal acceptance of the rocket into the armaments of the Russian military.