The Space Forces plan to launch the first Persona optical reconnaissance satellite at about 22:40 Moscow time on Friday, July 25 (18:40 UTC). The satellite will be launched from Plesetsk by a Soyuz 2.1b launcher.

The launch was originally scheduled for the third quarter of 2007, but then was moved to the first quarter of 2008. Apparently, it was then delayed one more time - we are in the third quarter of 2008.

UPDATE 07/25/08: The launch is postponed again - for 24 hours.

UPDATE 07/26/08: The launch took place at 22:31 MSK (18:31 UTC) on July 26, 2008.