Russia to launch ESA satellites Sunday

Moscow: A Russian launcher will put several European Space Agency (ESA) satellites into orbit Dec 17 from the Kourou space port in French Guiana, Russia`s Federal Space Agency Roscosmos said Monday.
The Soyuz ST-A will orbit Pleades and SSoT satellites, as well as four Elisa microsatellites. The rocket was delivered to the launch pad Monday morning. The lift off is slated for 2.03 a.m. GMT.

The first Soyuz launcher took off from Europe`s Spaceport in French Guiana Oct 21.

Soyuz is a medium-class launcher. Its performance perfectly complements that of the ESA launchers Ariane and Vega and increases the competitiveness and flexibility of the exploitation of Ariane launchers in the commercial market, ESA stated.

IANS