Russian company to send 32 satellites into space

Moscow-based operator Kosmotras said Wednesday that it will send a record 32 satellites into space in one launch.

The Dnepr rocket, with a cluster of 32 satellites on board, is to be launched at 11.10 a.m. Thursday from the Yasny-Dombarovsky launch site in Russia's Orenburg region, Xinhua reported.

Russia is to break the record set by the US Orbital company, who sent 29 satellites into space with a single rocket 0115 GMT Wednesday.

Dnepr is converted from a strategic ballistic missile by Russian and Ukrainian enterprises.

Kosmotras has launched 65 satellites into space with 18 rockets.