Recent Russian Space Launches and ISS Update

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Overview of Recent Russian Space Launches and Related Updates

A Meteor-M hydrometeorological satellite system was associated with a Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle. The mission involved both Russian and international components and was conducted from launch site 1C at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The information comes from a publication tracing the event to the Roskosmos YouTube channel.

The launch occurred at 8 hours 43 minutes 26 seconds Moscow time. Approximately 9 minutes and 23 seconds after liftoff, the Soyuz-2.1b deployment system released the upper stage, delivering the satellites into low Earth orbit. The primary payload for this mission is the Meteor-M hydrometeorological spacecraft No. 2-4, with the targeted orbit expected to be reached within an hour after launch, consistent with standard post-ignite timelines reported by aerospace authorities and corroborated by Roscosmos and related sources.

On December 27, 2023, a Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicle was used to place a military satellite into orbit from the cosmodrome at Plesetsk. This event followed a prior December 21 launch in which the same program successfully deployed a medium-lift Soyuz-2.1b vehicle. Official briefings from the Department of Defense indicate that the device was captured by aerospace forces, and telemetric communication with the satellite has been established and maintained since then, ensuring ongoing tracking and control channels.

On February 28, there were reports concerning an air leak in the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS). The incident prompted assessments of environmental and safety protocols aboard the station, with teams continuing to monitor cabin integrity and life-support systems to ensure crew safety and mission continuity.

In the same period, Roscosmos officials publicly addressed scheduling considerations for future missile launches, noting efforts to optimize mission timelines and ensure robust operational readiness. The overarching narrative from the space agency highlighted ongoing collaboration across domestic space forces and international partners to maintain a steady cadence of launches, orbital maintenance, and station operations, while also focusing on safety, reliability, and data transmission integrity for all active assets in near-Earth orbit.

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