Russia takes military satellites into space

Russia's Proton-M rocket has successfully launched a military satellite into orbit from the Baikonur space station yesterday.

The satellite has separated from the rocket after 9 hours leaving the ground. Ria Novosti led the command of the Russian space force Oleg Ostapenko called the satellite "a new project that enhances the capabilities of the space information system".

The Proton-M rocket and Briz-M propulsion device are manufactured by Khrunichev space research center. Proton-M is a three-stage rocket that uses liquid fuel. Russia carried out 10 Proton-M rocket launches last year and was successful.

Russia currently has about 60 - 70 military satellites on reconnaissance missions, warning early enemy missiles and some other functions.

Ostapenko earlier said the country could use Angara-class boosters from launchers in central Plesetsk to reduce Russia's dependence on Baikonur, in Kazakhstan.