The Kanopus B earth observation/disaster monitoring satellite was successfully launched on a Soyuz FG-Fregat flying out of the Baikonur launch site near Tyuratam in Kazakhstan at 0641 GMT on 22 July. The satellite was built by VNII Elektromekaniki and Radioexport of Russia using avoinics built by the UK firm, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited.
Also aboard the flight was the TET 1 test satellite, BELKA 2 imaging satellite, ZOND PP (MKA FKI/PN1) solar interacation science satellite, and the ExactView 1 AIS ship identification satellite.