Russia Launches Military, Science Satellites

MOSCOW (Interfax) - Several satellites have been lunched into space with a Rockot light launch vehicle from the Plesetsk space center in north Russia, top spokesman for the Russian Space Forces Alexei Zolotukhin told Interfax from Plesetsk on Friday.

"The Rockot launch vehicle should put several military satellites and the scientific Yubileiny satellite into orbit," he said.

He said commander of the Space Forces Col. Gen. Vladimir Popovkin oversaw preparations for the takeoff.

"The satellites are to be put into their target orbits at 9:05 p.m.," Zolotukhin said.

• VIDEO: Europe Launches First ATV Cargo Ship
• GALLERY: Launch Day for Shuttle Endeavour
• IMAGES: 20 Great Rocket Launches