Russia launches communications satellites and secret payload

After a four-week delay, a converted ballistic missile launched a trio of communications satellites and a classified piggy-back cargo on Tuesday. The rocket carried three barrel-shaped Gonets-M satellites for the Gonets-D1M communications network, while the fourth payload might be a maneuverable experimental satellite. The launch was previously scheduled for March 3, however the liftoff was delayed by additional inspections of the engines on the second stage of the rocket. The Rockot booster (which means "rumble" in Russian) is made of a retired Soviet-era UR-100NU ballistic missile, plus an additional third stage known as Briz-KM, which serves as a space tug to deliver its payload from an initial parking orbit to a final operational orbit. More

(Source: Sen - Apr 2)