Russia launches first Soyuz-2 rocket
Hey guys.. Looks like Russia launched a new model of their booster rocket last Monday (Nov 8, 2004) with some "unspecified space apparatus". These guys sure know how to spice up a report with words like that considering they got delayed twice. The launch date got postponed from October 29th till this Monday because they had to correct some software flaws. Hats off for my buddies in comp eng. (Just kidding..)
This is a new and modernized version of the Soyuz rocket. For those who don't know, this has been in the works with the Soviet and Russian space program since the 1960s. According to what Interfax is saying, the rocket has more power and also is equipped with an updated digital control system. The word is that they've got a deal going on with the European Space Agency to use this rocket later (in about 2006) for commercial space launches from the Kourou launch pad in French Guiana. Lets see how that's gonna come along.
