Soyuz launches Russian intelligence satellite from Plesetsk

A Soyuz 2.1b rocket has successfully launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, carrying a Lotos electronic signals intelligence satellite into orbit for the Russian military. Liftoff took place at 11:20 UTC from Plesetsk’s Site 43 on a northeastern trajectory. Lotos-S1 number 5 was deployed into Low Earth Orbit with a separation apogee of approximately 900 km and an inclination of 67 degrees. The spacecraft will utilize its onboard propulsion to circularize its orbit over the coming weeks, before becoming fully operational for use by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). More

(Source: NASASpaceFlight.com - Apr 9)