Russian communications satellite “Ray” was launched into orbit – BFM.Ru

The satellite will be part of a multifunctional communication system

Russian relay satellite “Ray” launched into orbit. ITAR-TASS. Read also: «Soyuz» docked to the ISS with the unopened battery

The satellite was launched today at 00:23 from the Baikonur “cosmodrome” rocket “Proton-M”. After 9 minutes of the rocket separated head unit, consisting of the upper stage “Breeze-M” and the companion “Ray».

The satellite is part of a multifunctional space system relay “Ray,” designed to provide communications between the Russian segment of the International Space station or other space vehicles. Currently, most of the communication between the ISS and the Mission Control Center in the Russian Federation and the United States is provided by the American communication system TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System), whose services are paid for by the Russian side.

This is the first launch rockets “Proton” after the incident in May. Then, due to a malfunction of the steering engine rocket with the most powerful communications satellite burned for 540 seconds of flight. Damage amounted to nearly 8 billion rubles.