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| Image credit: Bureau 1440 |
Launch of 16x Rassvet-3
Roscosmos launched a Soyuz 2.1b from Plesetsk in Arkangelsk at approximately 1751 UTC yesterday, Sunday 19th July, or 2051 local time (MSK). The launch was unannounced and carried out in secret. It was carrying the second batch of 16 Rassvet-3 communications satellites for Bureau 1440's internet constellation, following the first launch in March. When it becomes operational, the constellation could be used by the Russian military on the front lines in Ukraine, hence the secrecy. Bureau 1440 announced the success of the launch today, and the approximate launch time was calculated based on the catalogued orbits of the satellites. This was the 207th flight of the Soyuz-2 family of rockets, and the 85th flight of the 2.1b variant. [Source: TASS]
Scrub of Starlink Group 17-39
SpaceX were scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg in California today, but the rocket suffered a pad abort just after ignition and the flight was scrubbed. The payload is Starlink Group 17-39. There will be a second attempt tomorrow. [Source: SpaceX]
International Space Station Activities
The crew of the International Space Station prepared for the departure of the MS-28 crew next week, as well as carrying out routine research and maintenance. [Source: NASA]
