Science & Tech · Space · 23 hrs ago
Russian military satellite reaches target orbit after Soyuz launch
Russia launched a military satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk spaceport in the northern Arkhangelsk Region.
The launch was carried out by Russia’s Space Troops, part of its Aerospace Forces.
The Defense Ministry said the satellite reached its target orbit at the designated time.
Ground-based facilities then took control of the satellite, according to the ministry.
The ministry did not say what the satellite is designed to do.
The successful insertion confirms the satellite reached its intended orbit, but no further mission details or next steps were given.
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying a Russian military satellite launched from the Plesetsk spaceport.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the satellite reached its target orbit at the designated time.
Ground-based facilities of the Aerospace Forces took control of the satellite.
The launch was conducted by a crew of Russia’s Space Troops.
- Who
- Russia’s Space Troops conducted the launch; the payload was a satellite for the Russian Defense Ministry.
- What
- A Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched the satellite, which the Defense Ministry said reached its target orbit.
- When
- November 7, 2026.
- Where
- The Plesetsk spaceport in Russia’s Arkhangelsk Region.
- Why
- The satellite was a payload for the Russian Defense Ministry; its specific purpose was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying a military satellite launched from Plesetsk.
The rocket was tracked by the Titov Main Test Space Center’s ground-based automated control system.
The satellite reached its target orbit and was placed under the control of Aerospace Forces ground facilities.
- Rocket
- Soyuz-2.1b
- Payload
- Russian military satellite
- Launch site
- Plesetsk spaceport, Arkhangelsk Region
- Launch date
- November 7, 2026
- Orbit
- Satellite delivered to its target orbit
2 sources
What people are saying
The launch of the carrier rocket and the satellite’s insertion into its target orbit proceeded normally.