MOSCOW, December 25, 17:34 /ITAR-TASS/. Russia has postponed the launch its new Soyuz 2-1.v carrier rocket next year, Aerospace Defence Troops spokesperson, Colonel Dmitry Zenin told ITAR-TASS.

The rocket was scheduled to launch December 25 and carry an Aist satellite.

Initially, the rocket was supposed to be launched on December 23, but pre-launch checks revealed the need for additional preparation of the ground systems.

The Soyuz-2.1v carrier rocket is a two-stage light vehicle. With a Volga booster it is intended for taking satellites to circular orbits of up to 1,500 km and heliosynchronous orbits of up to 850 km. The rocket, designed and made by Samara-based CSKB Progress, is to replace Tsiklon and Kosmos carriers and duplicate Rokot and eventually Angara 1.1 and Angara 1.2 rockets.