On December 25, 2013 at 04:31 MSK (00:31 UTC) the Space Forces conducted a successful launch of a Rockot space launcher with Briz-KM booster stage from the launch pad No. 3 of the launch complex No. 133 of the Plesetsk test site. The three spacecraft delivered into orbit are reported to be Rodnik military communication satellites.
The satellites are likely to receive designations Cosmos-2488, Cosmos-2489, and Cosmos-2490. NORAD catalog numbers are 39483, 39484, and 39485, international designations - 2013-076A, 2013-076B, and 2013-076C.
Previous launch of Rodnik-type satellites took place in January 2013. It also used the Rockot launcher, which is a converted UR-100NUTTH ICBM.
UPDATE 05/25/14: It appears that there was a fourth satellite in this launch - object 2013-076E/39497 appears to be Cosmos-2491. The name and purpose of this satellite is unknown.
Comments
39484/2013-076B - Briz-KM
1157 x 1503 km
Thank you. Doesn't NORAD have a practice of reassigning catalog numbers, so the working satellites will be 39483-5 in the end?
In his review of strat programs in late November in Sochi, Putin said five more mil satellites would orbit in 2013...any candidates for the final two? Best regards.
There are no more planned launches in the NK log. However, they recently had to stop including military launches that are not officially announced.