Russian Glonass-M Satellite Reaches Orbit on Soyuz-2.1B Carrier Rocket

The Glonass-M navigation satellite, launched from Russia’s Plesetsk space center on a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket, was brought to its target orbit by the Fregat upper stage, the Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — This was the first launch of the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk space center in 2016.

"The Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket successfully brought the Russian navigation space apparatus Glonass-M to its target orbit at the set time," the ministry told RIA Novosti.

The satellite made contact and is functioning normally, the Russian Defense Ministry added.

"Contact was established with the space apparatus, and stable telemetric connection is being maintained. The onboard systems are functioning normally," the ministry told RIA Novosti.