Posted: Wed, Apr 28, 2010, 7:39 AM ET (1139 GMT)
A Russian Kosmos rocket placed a military navigation satellite into orbit on Tuesday. The Kosmos-3M rocket lifted off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia at 10:08 pm EDT Monday (0208 GMT, 6:08 am Moscow time Tuesday) and placed the Kosmos 2463 satellite into low Earth orbit. The purpose of the satellite wasn't identified in Russian media reports, but is believed to be a Parus-class military navigation satellite. The launch is expected to be one of the last for the Kosmos-3M booster, which dates back to the 1960s, before it is retired by the end of this year.

Related Links:

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