Belarus to launch satellite in 2009

The Belarus-made satellite is scheduled to be launched into space in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The first satellite, BelKA, was lost when the Dnepr launcher rocket exploded in the summer of 2006. The new space orbiter is reported to have "new abilities".

The Belarusian satellite will be launched from the Russian military spacedrome of Plesetsk together with a Russian satellite on the Russia-made Rokot rocket, reports the official news agency  BELTA