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Soyuz-2.1b Launch Puts 52 Satellites in Orbit as Debris Is Found in Yakutia

The flight delivered the Aist-2T stereo‑imaging pair, inaugurating Russia’s leasing model for Earth‑observation satellites.

Overview

  • Roscosmos reported that the Fregat upper stage deployed two Aist-2T spacecraft and a total of 52 payloads to their target orbits after the December 28 liftoff from Vostochny.
  • Rescuers in Yakutia located a separated rocket fragment in Vilyuysky District, and teams from Moscow, Khabarovsk and Yakutsk began radiation sampling with further recovery work planned in spring.
  • The rideshare included university and educational satellites such as Scorpion, a 16U cubesat for space radiation and astrophysics research, along with student-built missions.
  • GTLK confirmed that Zorkiy-2M Earth‑observation satellites flew under Russia’s first space‑leasing deal, produced by Sputniks with multispectral imaging and ship‑tracking payloads.
  • Roscosmos said the manifest also carried satellites from partner organizations in Iran, Belarus and Ecuador, alongside additional domestic Earth‑imaging and technology demonstrators.