Russian Soyuz LV due to put Iranian satellite into orbit lifts off from Baikonur Cosmodrome

MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Russia's Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle, which, as reported, is due to place Iran's Khayyam satellite and 16 small satellites into orbit, has blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, according to a livestream being run by the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos.

The Soyuz-2.1b took off at 8:52 a.m.

In turn, the press service for the Kemerovo region's government has said that the Soyuz LV will also put into orbit the Kuzbass-300 satellite, developed by Kuzbass State Technical University scientists together with university students and school pupils.

"The nanosatellite weighs only four kilograms. It is equipped with video cameras and electronic systems, which will enable children to monitor the environmental situation in the region from space. School pupils and university students will carry out Earth remote sensing via the Mission Control Center of the Kuzbass State Technical University," the press service said.

As reported earlier, the Russian LV is due to place into orbit the Iranian Khayyam Earth remote sensing satellite, built by Roscosoms enterprises, and 16 small satellites.

The Washington Post said in June 2021 that the United States and some countries of the Middle East are concerned that an advanced satellite system that Russia was supplying to Iran could greatly advance Tehran's surveillance in the region and beyond. Sources said that under the agreement, Russia would provide the Iranians with a Russian-made Kanopus-V satellite equipped with a high-resolution camera. The launch could happen within months, they said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin later dismissed these claims as "nonsense."