Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces proceeded to the final cycle of prelaunch tests of Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, installed onto the Plesetsk State Testing Cosmodrome, spokesman for Russiaa's Aerospace Defense Forces Colonel Alexei Zolotukhin told RIA Novosti.
"On Thursday, June 12, Plesetsk Cosmodrome specialists rolled out Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket onto the launch pad a?? 43, where personnel will accomplish testing of carrier rocket systems and launching equipment," he said.
Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket is to launch GLONASS-M satellites into orbit on June 14. The Soyuz-2.1b modernized booster was designed according to the Russian technology, from materials manufactured in Russia.
The rocket differs from all previous models in its digital control system, which significantly increases the accuracy of orbiting over a point on the Earth.
Plesetsk has been the site of Russia's GLONASS satellite launches since February 26, 2011, when the first new generation GLONASS-K spacecraft was launched into orbit by a Soyuz-2.1 medium booster. Until that time, all launches of GLONASS-K satellites were carried out on Proton rockets from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is the Russian equivalent to the US Global Positioning System (GPS). The GLONASS network provides real-time positioning and speed data for land, sea and airborne receivers.
