Past launch
Launched successfully
Meridian-M No.21L
Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M, flown by Russian Space Forces
Launches / Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M
Soyuz 2.1a/Fregat-M, flown by Russian Space Forces
This was Russian Space Forces' 2nd launch of 2026, and its 154th in all.
Counting every operator, it was the 76th orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2026, and the first from 43/3 (43L).
Russian Space Forces
Note: Payload identity uncertain. Meridian is a series of communications satellite for military and civilian use.
The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.
Russian Space Forces
The Russian Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Russia. Having been reestablished following August 1, 2015 merger between the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces after a 2011 dissolving of the branch. The Russian Space Forces were originally formed on August 10, 1992 and the creation of the Russian Armed Forces.
157 launches so far, 149 of them successful. The last 69 in a row went to plan.
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