The successful launch of Soyuz-2.1b flight vehicle with Fregat upper-stage rocket and Glonass-M navigational spacecraft (Information Satellite Systems - Reshetnev Company) has been performed by the representatives of Russian Space Forces with participation of specialists of rocket and space industry from the Plestsk cosmodrome’s launch site 43 on November 28th 12-25 Moscow time, press-service of Federal Space Agency reports. AEX.ru

In accordance with cyclogram of placing the spacecraft into final orbit, the Glonass-M spacecraft should separate from the upper-stage rocket at 15-57 Moscow time.

The launch has been performed in the presence of the head of Roscosmos, which has arrived earlier within the framework of working trip.

It was the fourth launch in 2011 in the network of “Global Navigation System” Federal target program and the third one, performed at Plesetsk cosmodrome.

The orbital group has been reinforced with three Glonass-M spacecrafts after the launch of Proton-M rocket carrier with Briz-M upper stage, performed on November 4th from Baikonur.

Two more launches have been performed from Plesetsk cosmodrome in 2011: next-generation Glonass-K satellite has been placed into orbit on February 26th and Glonasss-M has been placed into orbit on October 3rd. Soyuz-2.1b flight vehicle (developed by Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center) and Fregat upper stage (developed by NPO Lavochkin ) have been used in both cases.