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Assembly of Soyuz-2.1a rocket begins at Russia's new Vostochny spaceport

It is planned to complete tests at the launching site by March 25 if the necessary construction readiness is provided

© Igor Ageyenko/TASS

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, January 20. /TASS/. The assembly of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle has begun at Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East as part of comprehensive tests designed to confirm that all systems are ready for the first launch, the press service of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Operation has said.

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Russia's new spaceport: Vostochny cosmodrome

"The installation of practically all support equipment systems of the Soyuz-2 rocket and space complex has been completed at the cosmodrome. It is planned to complete tests at the launching site by March 25 if the necessary construction readiness is provided. On March 26, comprehensive tests of support equipment are due to begin," the press service said.

The Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle will power into orbit the Mikhail Lomonosov satellite of Moscow State University and Russia’s first students' nanosatellite SamSat-218 and the Aist-2D Earth remote sensing space vehicle designed in Samara, a city in the Volga region.

A source at the cosmodrome earlier told TASS that Director General of Roscosmos State Corporation Igor Komarov would oversee the assembly of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle at Vostochny Cosmodrome

"The working visit of the Roscosmos head will last until the end of the day. Igor Komarov will inspect Vostochny facilities and control the beginning of the assembly of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle," the source said.

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Russian carrier rockets: from transporting astronauts to commercial launches

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