The first launch of the Gonets satellites is scheduled for October 22

The first launch of three Gonets satellites from the Vostochny cosmodrome is scheduled for the end of October. This was reported to TASS by a source in the rocket and space industry.

"The launch of the Messengers from Vostochny may take place on October 22," the agency interlocutor noted.

According to the source, the exact timing of the launch will depend on the readiness of the first apparatus of the Sphere grouping - Skif-D, the creation of which is currently being carried out at M. F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems JSC.

Earlier, Roscosmos reported that ISS specialists had begun assembling and testing the Skif-D spacecraft. Work on the Skif-D spacecraft started in the second half of 2020, but the company faced certain difficulties caused by Western sanctions and the refusal of foreign partners to supply the necessary equipment for the payload and satellite platform. However, all foreign equipment was promptly replaced with domestic analogues.