MOSCOW, March 22. /TASS/: A Soyuz-2.1a rocket carrying a Meridian-M communication satellite was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Region, Russian Defense Ministry announced Tuesday.
"On March 22, at 15:48 Moscow time, a Soyuz-2.1a rocket carrying a Meridian-M spacecraft was successfully launched from the launch pad number 3 of site 43 of the Plesetsk Cosmodrome," the Ministry said.
Russian Space Forces started tracking the rocket three minutes after the launch.
The Defense Ministry noted that all preparation operations and the launch itself went normal. The launch was controlled by an automated control system.
Meridian satellites provide communication for seagoing vessels and ice patrol planes near the Northern Sea Route with coastal and ground-based stations. These spacecraft are also necessary to expand satellite communication for northern parts of Siberia and Far East.
