On November 02, 2009 at 01:50 UTC a “Rokot” rocket-carrier with two European satellites was successfully launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwest Russia.

The 665-kg SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) spacecraft will produce global maps of high resolution and sensitivity showing variations in soil moisture and saline levels in the world's oceans. The mission is part of ESA's Earth Explorer Envelope Program.

The 130-kg Proba-2 (Project for On-Board Autonomy) research satellite will test new technologies for autonomous space missions for ESA's Technology Directorate.

The “Rokot” launch vehicle is a modified version of the Russian RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) intercontinental ballistic missile. It uses the two original lower stages, in conjunction with a Breeze-KM upper-stage for commercial payloads.