Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz-U rocket with Cosmos-2423 spacecraft from the Baykonur launch site at 17:41 MSK (13:41 UTC) on September 14th, 2006. Cosmos-2423 is a photoreconnaissance satellite of the Don (Orlets-1) type, the last satellite of this class to be launched. The launch was performed by the crews of Roskosmos and the Space Forces from the launch pad No. 6 of Baykonur's launch complex No. 31.

According to the Main Space Command and Control Center, the spacecraft successfully reached its orbit. Its international designation is 2006-039A, NORAD catalog number is 29402. According to NORAD, inclination of the initial orbit of Cosmos-2423 is 64.9 degrees, orbital period is about 89 minutes. Apogee of the orbit is 340 km, perigee - 175 km.

Satellites of this class normally work on orbit for 120-130 days. The previous Don satellite, Cosmos-2399, was launched on August 12th, 2003 and completed its mission in December 2003.