Russia launches first rocket from new Vostochny Cosmodrome

Russia has launched the first rocket from its newly built Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast, in Russian Far East region bordering China. 
•    The rocket is carrying three satellites with it namely Mikhailo Lomonosov , SamSat-218 and Aist-2D. 
•    Vostochny Cosmodrome is a Russian spaceport for civilian launches which is still under construction. 
•    Presently, Russia has the large military launch facilities.
•    But for launch but it has to depend on the Baikonur Cosmodrome for the civilian launches.
•    The new cosmodrome is going  to enable Russia to launch most missions from its own land.
•    Currently, Baikonur is the only launch site operated by Russia with the capability to launch crewed missions to ISS or elsewhere.
•    Seven launch pads are planned to be built at Vostochny, over a period of years.
•    Construction of the cosmodrome began in January 2011 and, as of 2011, was expected to be completed in 2018.