(IP) - Preparations are underway for the launch of Iran's Khayyam ERS satellite by the Russian Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Iran PressAsia: The blast-off is scheduled for 13:30 today, from launch pad No 31.

According to the State Space Corporation of the Russian Federation "Roscosmos", the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with Fregat upper-stage will bring Khayyam remote sensing satellite into orbit under the order of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The satellite was assembled at the Roscosmos enterprises. Apart from the Iranian satellite, the Soyuz-2.1b will carry 16 small spacecraft designed by the leading Russian universities, commercial companies, and non-commercial organizations for scientific and technological research.

Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Isa Zarepour arrived in Kazakhstan on Sunday to attend the launch of the satellite at the Baikonur base.

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