First rocket launch from Vostochny Cosmodrome

On April 28, at 5 hours 01 minute and 21 second, the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome!

A fantastic sight!

I shot from four cameras, three of which stood remotely and worked from the remote control with a countdown.

When shooting, no camera was hurt!

Initially, the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle was scheduled for April 27, but due to technical problems it was postponed to the reserve date of April 28. In Roskosmos explained that during the audit more than twenty comments were revealed.

The launch of the rocket was personally observed by President Vladimir Putin, who arrived at the launch site the day before. Commenting on the technical problems that the experts encountered, he compared the launch with the preparation of the pudding.

"They say that in order to confirm the quality of the pudding, you need to eat it; in order to confirm the cosmodrome is ready for work, you need to make the first launch. You did it, I congratulate you," the head of state said.

Russian spacecraft Aist-2D, the scientific satellite of Moscow State University Mikhailo Lomonosov, and the SamSat-218D nanosatellite are in orbit. Later, representatives of Roscosmos said that communication with each of them has been established, work is going on as usual.

Satellite Assignment

Aist-2D has unique characteristics for the spacecraft. So, with a mass of only 531 kilograms, Aist-2D has a fundamentally new lens, which, when shooting the earth's surface, can provide a resolution of one and a half meters with a capture band of almost forty kilometers. According to experts, the device is a kind of “scientific combine”, which will solve both real tasks on the Earth’s territory and scientific tasks.

Scientific spacecraft "Mikhailo Lomonosov", in turn, will allow you to explore various light phenomena in space, which can be dangerous for rockets.

SamSat-218 nanosatellite was created by students and scientists of Samara State Aerospace University (SSAU). Using unique equipment, specialists plan to remotely control the flight - the authors of the experiment will “call” on board using a mobile terminal and receive the necessary information.

“The rocket has completely completed its work,” stated the head of Roscosmos, Igor Komarov. He noted that the first launch from Vostochny Cosmodrome is a historic event.

“Everything went complicated, but I’m ready to confirm that all the work of the first stage at the spaceport has been completed. Today we will celebrate and rejoice, and tomorrow we will continue to work,” the head of Roscosmos said.