Posted: Wed, Jan 16, 2013, 7:25 AM ET (1225 GMT)
A Russian Rockot booster placed three Russian military satellites into orbit on Tuesday in the first orbital launch of the year. The Rockot vehicle lifted off from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia at 11:25 am EST (1625 GMT) and placed three satellites, designated Cosmos 2482 through 2484, into low Earth orbit. The satellites are believed to be part of the Strela class of communications satellites. the launch, the first of 2013, had been planned for last month but was delayed because of issues with the rocket's Briz-KM upper stage.

Related Links:

•  Spaceflight Now article
•  Itar-Tass article
•  RIA Novosti article