KOUROU. May 24 (Interfax-AVN) - The first launch of the Russian medium-class Soyuz-ST carrier rocket from the Kourou launch pad in French Guiana has been set for October 20, Arianspace reported on Monday.
The rocket will put two satellites for the Galileo European navigation satellite system into orbit.
The Russian French agreement on long-term cooperation in operating Soyuz-ST carrier rockets at the Guiana space center was signed in November 2003.
A modification of the Soyuz-2 and Soyuz-ST was developed specially for launches from Kourou. The rocket was upgraded in compliance with the European partners' requirements of safety, telemetry and terms of operation.