Russia launched the Artika-M 2 (Artika-M No 2) polar weather satellite from Baiknonur launch site near Tyuratam in Kazakhstan at 0917 GMT on 16 December 2023 on a Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat. The satellite was sent into highly inclined (62.8 degrees inclination) Molniya orbit. The satellite is specifically designed to monitor weather in the polar regions which is regarded as a key military region.
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Russian Aerospace Forces