OREANDA-NEWS. December 18, 2008. Russian Federal Space Agency, upon coordination with the Ministry of Defence, and the other involved agencies, approved spacecraft launch schedule for 2009 in the framewrk of the Russian Federal Space Program, Global Navigation System Federal Special Program, international cooperation programs and commercial projects.

Totally, 39 launches are planned in the Russian Federation from the Baikonur and Plesetsk space ports in 2009.

Compare to 2008, the number of missions to the International Space Station will increase significantly. 4 Soyuz crew spaceships and 5 Progress cargo vehicles are to be launched from Baikonur. Mini-research module is also planned to be delivered to the ISS by one of the Progresses. Such rate is implied by enlangement of the ISS crew to 6 persons.

Proton-M will loft two Express spacecraft, which are to provide permanent round-the-clock data relay services in the satellite broadcast and communication system of the Russian Federation; 2 launches of the Proton rocket will provide significant enlargement for the GLONASS constellation; 17 spacecraft are to be orbited to provide the users with satellite communication and telecommunication services; 2 satellites are intended for hydrometeorology and oceanograhy; 1 satellite will monitor industrial and natural emergencies; 6 spacecraft are to used for radio-astrophysical observations of the exogalactic objects, planets of the Solar system and their moons (Mars, Phobos, the Sun).

This schedule may be updated depending on the priority in spacecraft orbiting, or proposals coming from the launch customers.