All defense satellites launched in January operating normally - Roscosmos
MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Defense Ministry satellites launched in January are operating normally, Roscosmos deputy head Anatoly Shilov told Interfax-AVN.
"A Rokot rocket with a Briz KM upper stage and Russian Defense Ministry satellites were really launched from the Plesetsk Space Center in the indicated period. The satellites were brought to an orbit close to the final orbit with permissible parameters. The satellites are operating normally," Shilov said.
He thus commented on Russian media reports claiming that one of the three Rodnik satellites was defunct.
"The alleged fact of another accident in satellite launches is not true," Shilov said.
Three Rodnik satellites were put in orbit from Plesetsk on January 15, 2013.
Roscosmos also commented on reports saying it did not inform the public about critical observations on the launch of the military satellites.
"There is a long-standing practice in which the Space Agency makes no comment on issues regarding national security and operations of the Defense Ministry and law enforcement authorities," a Roscosmos source told Interfax-AVN.