Science and the Unknown, Russia, World

21.06.2010 18:00
Carrier rocket RS-20B has been launched from Baikonur

Carrier rocket RS-20B has been launched from Baikonur

Carrier rocket RS-20B launched from space-launch complex in Baikonur

On June 21, Russia's carrier rocket RS-20B with the German space vehicle TanDEM-X was launched from the cosmodrome Baikonur, the Press Secretary of the Directorate of press-service and information of the RF Ministry of Defense on Strategic Missile Forces colonel Vadim Koval has said.
 
The Operations Centre for the earth-based space infrastructure objects is going to carry out live coverage of the start-up.
 
"At 6.14 Moscow time, a military rocket RS-20B was successfully launched from cosmodrome Baikonur. This missile was made in 1983, was in operation for more than 24 years, and in 2008 was removed from operational status of the Strategic Missile Forces", the agency source said.
 
The space vehicle Tandem weighs 1350 kg. It will be operated at the height of 514.8 kilometers. This space vehicle has no military-oriented missions. It is intended to create a global digital model of heights of enhanced accuracy. Its on-orbit operating life is expected to be 5 years.
 
Video on the topic:

TanDEM-X. Preparing for the start-up



Science and the Unknown

The first tests of a new Russian missile were unsuccessful. Photo from rus.ruvr.ru

29.09 11:28 First new intercontinental ballistic missile test ends in failure

The first test of a new ballistic missile for Russia’s strategic forces failed. The test took place at spaceport Plesetsk.

04.08 15:02 Renowned geographer Andrei Kapitsa, 80, dies in Moscow

The renowned physicist, member of RAS, chair of the environmental management sub-department at the Department of Geography at Moscow State University, Doctor of Science, Andrei Kapitsa died on 2 August in Moscow.

15.07 16:15 Soyuz-2 successfully delivers six U.S. communications satellites into orbit

The upper stage ‘Frigate’ of the revamped launch vehicle Soyuz-2.1a, which was launched on Wednesday at 6:27 Moscow time from Baikonur, has successfully placed six U.S. communications satellites Globalstar-2 into orbit, said a Federal Space Agency spokesman. "The control over the satellites has already been transferred to the customer. Thus, the Russian part of the program of delivering the Globalstar-2 satellites into the orbit is completed", said the space agency representative.

Russia

Putin will be nominated for presidency ahead of schedule. Photo from obozrevatel.com

07.10 10:38 United Russia to nominate Putin for president before Duma elections

The ruling party United Russia has advised when it is going to suggest Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for president. The party is not going to deliberately put this case off. So UR will do it even before the elections.

05.10 13:40 MPs vote for chemical castration of pedophiles

October 4, the State Duma approved in first reading the bill on tougher sentences for serious crimes of sexual nature with regard to persons under 14 years old.

03.10 10:48 Missile Liner successfully launched from Barents Sea

A ballistic missile Liner was successfully launched from the Barents Sea to a Kamchatka Peninsula range, said the Russian Defense Ministry official, Colonel Igor Konashenkov.

World

Sailors from Novosibirsk are held hostage by Nigerian pirates. Photo from ttolk.ru

13.10 12:07 Sailors from Novosibirsk held hostage by Nigerian pirates

According to the website of the Russian Trade Union of Seamen (RPSM), three Russian sailors from Novosibirsk happen to be on the tanker "Cape Bird" (flag - Marshall Islands, owner - COLUMBIA DEUTSCHLAND), which was captured October 8 by Nigerian pirates some 70 miles from Lagos.

10.10 18:34 Russia does not understand U.S. reluctance to destroy Afghan opium

Russian Foreign Ministry does not understand the reluctance of Washington to destroy all the poppy plantations in Afghanistan. This was stated by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who spoke at the International Forum "The Millennium Development Goals in Eastern Europe and Central Asia".

05.10 13:45 Russia and China veto resolution on Syria

Russia and China used their veto right and blocked the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution on Syria.