A Soyuz 2.1b on its way for a Dec. 26 2014 launch. Photo: Roscosmos

[Via Satellite 12-24-2014] Launch specialists have rolled out a Soyuz 2.1b rocket and a Proton-M rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for launches on Dec. 26 and Dec. 28 respectively.

The Soyuz 2.1b rocket is being readied at launch pad 31 to loft the remote sensing satellite Resurs-P2. The satellite is equipped to image the Earth in panchromatic and five narrow spectral bands.

International Launch Services (ILS) is conducting the Proton launch for SES’ Astra 2G satellite from launch complex 200. The telecommunications satellite carries 62 Ku-band transponders and four Ka-band transponders. Astra 2G will cover the United Kingdom and Ireland, Europe and West Africa.