Question 1

What rocket is launching Elektro-L No.5?

Accepted Answer

Elektro-L No.5 is launching on the Proton-M Blok DM-03.

Question 2

Who is launching Elektro-L No.5?

Accepted Answer

Elektro-L No.5 is being launched by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, a government launch provider founded in 1916.

Question 3

Where is Elektro-L No.5 launching from?

Accepted Answer

Elektro-L No.5 is launching from 81/24 (81P) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Question 4

What orbit is Elektro-L No.5 heading to?

Accepted Answer

Elektro-L No.5 is heading to Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO).

Question 5

Is the Proton-M Blok DM-03 reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Proton-M Blok DM-03 is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Proton-M Blok DM-03 flown?

Accepted Answer

The Proton-M Blok DM-03 has launched 8 times to date, with 6 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the Elektro-L No.5 mission?

Accepted Answer

Elektro-L is a series of meteorological satellites developed for the Russian Federal Space Agency by NPO Lavochkin. They are designed to capture real-time images of clouds and the Earth's underlying surface, heliogeophysical measurements, collection and translating hydrometeorological and service data.

Question 8

Where is the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur Cosmodrome is in Kazakhstan and is the world's first and largest operational spaceport, founded in 1955. Russia's Roscosmos operates it on territory leased from Kazakhstan under an agreement running to 2050.

Question 9

What launches from Baikonur?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur remains a major hub for Russian crewed and uncrewed missions, with Soyuz rockets flying from active pads such as Site 31/6. The historic 'Gagarin's Start' (Site 1/5) has been retired from regular service.

Question 10

Why is Baikonur historically important?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur launched both the first satellite, Sputnik 1 in 1957, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1 in 1961 — the two events that opened the Space Age.

Question 11

Can you visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur is a restricted military and space facility in a remote part of Kazakhstan, with no casual public viewing. Visits are possible only through pre-arranged official or specialist tours with advance permits, usually timed around a launch.

Elektro-L No.5

Flight Timeline

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

81/24 (81P)

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions