The agency told reporters that after Wednesday’s launch, more launches of the Soyuz-2.1v model are not planned, so its six-decade use can be considered a historic event.

The Soyuz-2.1v carrier rocket is different from the medium-class Soyuz-2.1b model because it lacks the four side boosters. The center core uses a NK-33 engine instead of a RD-108A.

This engine was originally developed in the 1960s for the N-1 super-heavy rocket, which, despite expectations, never went into production after four unsuccessful launches.

jg/iff/npg/gfa