The Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Fregat upper stage was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome. This was reported on Twitter by Roscosmos.
Initially, the launch was scheduled for Saturday, March 20, but it was postponed for two days. According to a RIA Novosti source, the reason was a voltage surge in the power supply system of the launch complex and the need to re-check the rocket systems.
The separation of the third stage of the rocket with 38 satellites from 18 countries took place at 09:17, and the separation of the first satellite – the South Korean Earth observation apparatus CAS500-1 – is scheduled for 10:10. Then four Japanese GRUS satellites will be delivered to the target orbit.
“Start-up normally. The separation of the head unit took place at the estimated time. The first activation and deactivation of the propulsion system of the Fregat upper stage took place normally, ”added Dmitry Rogozin.
It is also noted that the Soyuz launch vehicle was repainted for the first time in 45 years: instead of the traditional gray and orange, it appeared in white and blue. Last time this was done in July 1975 to launch a manned spacecraft with cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov under the Soyuz-Apollo program.
