The Kondor-E-2 radar reconnaissance satellite has been launched from the Baikonur launch site near Tyuratam in Kazakhstan by a Russian-operated Strela-1 launch vehicle at 0443 GMT on 19 December 2014. The spacecraft is now owned by the Government of South Africa after it purchased the Kondor-E class radar reconnaissance satellite from Russian manufacturer NPO Mashinostroyenia for the use of South Africa’s defence and intelligence agencies. The deal is thought to be worth RAND1 billion (US$89.5 million).