The Soyuz-2.1b rocket, carrying the Fregat upper stage and the Arctic hydrometeorological satellite Arktika-M No., was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The development and mission update come from the official statements of the state enterprise Roscosmos. [Citation: Roscosmos press service]
According to Roscosmos, the liftoff was scheduled for December 16 at 12:17 Moscow time from Site 31 at Baikonur. The publication notes that the weather satellite will provide ongoing monitoring of the Arctic hydrometeorological conditions, study heliogeophysical activity, and relay signals from the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite search and rescue system. [Citation: Roscosmos press service]
As described in the press release, precisely 9 minutes 22 seconds after launch, the payload’s upper stage will separate from the third stage, after which the Fregat engine will ignite three times. This sequence will place the spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes after liftoff. [Citation: Roscosmos press service]
Previous missions at Baikonur included the Soyuz-2.1a variant, which carried the Soyuz MS-24 crewed spacecraft in September and launched from the same Baikonur facility. [Citation: Roscosmos press service]
In related history, regard for Baikonur’s role in modern spaceflight remains strong, as evidenced by recent recognitions and awards. The site has continually supported critical national programs and international collaborations in space exploration and Earth observation. [Citation: Roscosmos press service]