BAIKONUR (Kazakhstan), August 24 (RIA Novosti) - The RS-20 Voyevoda heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (NATO reporting name Satan) was launched from Russia's Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan at 13:10 Moscow time (22:10 GMT) Wednesday, carrying a spacecraft into orbit.

The RS-20, originally designed to intercept other intercontinental ballistic missiles, has been in use in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces for over 25 years.

The launch demonstrated the reliability of the RS-20 and the feasibility of the further use of this type of missile by the Russian military, the press service said.

An Internet portal sponsored by public supporters of military reform in Russia posted the RS-20's specifications: it is a highly accurate two-stage missile that can be equipped with a multiple warhead (6,835 mi) or a light warhead (9,320 mi). It is 34 meters in length, three meters in diameter, and has a maximum launch weight of 211 metric tons.