Two European satellites has launched from Plesetsk cosmodrome

According to Interfax, «booster» Rokot "with the spacecraft SMOS and PROBA-2, developed at the request of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in normal mode from the spaceport at 04:51.

The first satellite, SMOS, will be released on the target orbit at 6:00, and the second — at 7:50 Moscow time.

Spacecraft SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) is designed for climate studies Earth’s surface and oceans. PROBA-2 (PRoject for OnBoard Autonomy) will be used for research on solar observations and research of weather on Earth.

Previous launch of «rumble» was held at the cosmodrome in Plesetsk on July 6, when the orbit were removed three Russian satellites for military purposes. Results from the first launch «Rokotov» at Plesetsk, May 16, 2000, from Baikonur started 12 missiles.