Posted: Wed, Apr 26, 2006, 8:19 AM ET (1219 GMT)
A Russian rocket successfully launched a commercial imaging satellite on Tuesday. The Start-1 rocket lifted off from the Svobodny Cosmodrome in Siberia at 12:47 pm EDT (1647 GMT) Tuesday, placing the Eros B satellite into a sun synchronous orbit. The 290-kilogram satellite will be used by Israel-based ImageSat International to provide images with resolutions as sharp as 70 centimeters. The spacecraft, built by Israel Aircraft Industries, is believed to be a civil version of Israel's Ofeq military reconnaissance satellites. the Start-1 is a modified SS-25 "Topol" ICBM used for launching small satellites.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article
•  AP article
•  NasaSpaceFlight.com article
•  Interfax article
•  ImageSat International press release