Russia blasts ‘top-secret military satellite’ into orbit in second space mission since Ukraine invasion
RUSSIA has launched a military communications satellite into orbit, according to multiple reports.
The spacecraft was launched on a Soyuz rocket at around 8:48am EDT (1248 GMT) on March 22.
Space.com claims the satellite could aid in military communications.
Russia’s state owned news outlet Ria Novosti provided some details about the launch.
A translated version of Ria Novosti’s report states: “Satellites of the ‘Meridian’ series provide communication between sea vessels and ice reconnaissance aircraft in the area of the Northern Sea Route with coastal and ground station.
“Also, the devices expand the capabilities of satellite communication stations in the northern regions of Siberia and the Far East.”
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This is said to be Russia’s second space rocket launch since it invaded Ukraine on February 24.
The Russian rocket launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia.
It comes just a few days after another Russian space rocket launch on March 18.
That rocket blated off from Russia-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
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The March 18 launch sent cosmonauts Oleg Artemyev, Denis Matveev and Sergey Korsakov on their way to the International Space Station.
The trio went into orbit wearing yellow and blue suits, sparking mass online debate over whether the colors were chosen in support of Ukraine.
Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has denied these claims.
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Russia was supposed to launch a satellite for British-backed firm OneWeb on March 4.
However, it refused after OneWeb couldn’t guarantee the spacecraft wouldn’t be used for military purposes.
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