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Russia continues work to launch rocket with OneWeb satellites from Kourou

A source in the Russian space industry earlier told TASS that a micro-hole was found in one of the Fregat booster’s ducts

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. The preparations for the launch of a Soyuz carrier rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana to deliver OneWeb satellites into orbit are proceeding in a normal regime, Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos told TASS on Wednesday.

"Nothing has happened and the preparations are proceeding in a normal regime in accordance with the stipulated procedure," the Roscosmos press office said, responding to a question about a fault found in the Fregat booster.

As Roscosmos explained, "checks always reveal something and this is why multi-stage inspections are needed."

A source in the Russian space industry earlier told TASS that a micro-hole was found in one of the Fregat booster’s ducts. Specialists of Russia’s Lavochkin Research and Production Association are working on eliminating the problem at the Kourou spaceport, the source added.

OneWeb Executive Chairman and Founder Greg Wyler said in January that the launch of the Soyuz carrier rocket with the satellites intended to provide broadband access to the Internet for users across the world was scheduled for February 19 from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana.

Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Stephane Israel said on January 25 that the first OneWeb satellites for ensuring broadband Internet had been delivered to the spaceport.