Scientists Launch Russian "Soyuz-ST" Missile from Guiana  

A Russian "Soyuz-ST" missile has been launched off from Kourou space airport in French Guiana on the northern Atlantic Ocean, on Tuesday, to bring the French CSO-2 satellite into orbit in outer space.

The satellite, built by the European company Airbus Defense and Space, will be transferred at the request of the French National Center for Space Research and the General Directorate of Weapons (affiliated to the French Defense Ministry) to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 480 km.

The company stated, in a statement, that the function of the satellite is to "monitor the Earth's surface for the purpose of ensuring security."

On the other hand, sources in the "Ross Cosmos", a state-run organization, announced that tests are still underway on technologies that will be used in the new Soyuz-5 heavy missiles.

A statement issued by the press service of Korolov University, situated in the Russian city of Samara said that Russian scientists have successfully tested vibration Isolators designed to work with the new Soyuz-5 space missiles.

These devices can withstand the severe pressures that the missiles are exposed to during their launch and entry into Earth orbits."

The statement added, "During the experiments in the laboratories, the devices were exposed to various effects that simulate those that the missile is exposed to during its launch and entry into orbits, including vibrations and the effects of linear acceleration.

Effects were also applied to them that mimic those that the missiles are exposed to during their transport to airports and space launch bases; the devices which have been tested meet the specifications announced by their designers."

The statement also indicated that "experts at the university have developed more than 300 anti-vibration insulators for space uses, all of which are made of special materials that contain isotopes of rubber-like metals.

These insulators are distinguished by their high capabilities to absorb vibration, and the ability to work in difficult environments and high temperatures."