On 26 April 2013, at 9 h 23 min Moscow time Soyuz-2.1b with the GLONASS-M satellite on board was successfully launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The launch was nominal.

It is the third in a week successful launch of launch vehicles developed and manufactured by TsSKB-Progress. Such tight schedule suggests high level of reliability and demand for launch vehicles built by TsSKB-Progress as well as professional competence and responsibility of engineers.

GLONASS-M is one of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite Systems of the second generation. It differs from satellites of the first generation in guaranteed service life period of seven years and improved accuracy.

Reference

The Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle is the second version of Soyuz-2. It is equipped with new control system using a modern elemental base common for all three stages, a digital radio-telemetering measurement system, uprated engines of the first and the second stages, and an engine of the third stage with extended power characteristics.