Russia retained first place in the world in terms of number of successful space launches in 2015, with 29 completed, Russia's space agency Roscosmos said Tuesday.

A total of 86 carrier rockets launches for space purposes were conducted in 2015.

"In 2015, Russia carried out 29 carrier rocket launches, 18 - from Baikonur, three - from the Guiana Space Center, one - from Dombarovsky GMD and seven launches from the Russian Defense Ministry's Plesetsk Cosmodrome," Roscosmos said in an annual final statement.

The United States came second with 19 launches, while third place went to China on 18 launches.

The more recent Russian carrier rocket launch was conducted on December 24.

In 2015, 17 Russian unmanned spacecraft were put into the orbit, expanding the possibilities of remote sensing systems and communication satellites.

In the end of 2014, Roscosmos announced that Russia had carried out a total of 38 successful space launches in the year, becoming the global leader in this area.

earlier report
Putin Signs Decree on Dissolving Federal Space Agency
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on dissolving the country's Federal Space Agency in line with the creation of Roscosmos state corporation, the Kremlin press service said Monday.

The agency will be dissolved in accordance with a federal law of July 13, 2015, according to the presidential decree, published on Kremlin's official website.

The decree comes into force on January 1, 2016.

Under the decree, the Russian government is due to ensure the continuity of the agency's functioning.

In accordance with the law, in the near future the government should carry out liquidation procedures, as well as provide the agency's employees with legal guarantees and compensation.

Source: Sputnik News