Soyuz-ST-A/Fregat-M VS24 - Falcon Eye 2 - December 2, 2020 (01:33 UTC)

[zubenelgenubi]

Falcon Eye 2

Cross-post; launcher swap from Vega to Soyuz; also new NET launch date:

https://twitter.com/nicolas_pillet/status/1199765606381305858
Google translation

ALERT INFO: Following the failure of VV15, the Emirates remove their Falcon Eye 2 from VEGA and ask @Arianespace to transfer it to Soyuz-ST. Launching no earlier than 20.02.2020.

2019 is a typo

***

That's a short-lead LV swap!  IIRC (NSF post by jacqmans?), there are some/several Soyuz in external storage at Kourou.

Is a Fregat-M available on relatively short notice?  (I imagine so; or else the arrangements would not have been made as they are?)

How do we know this launch will use an ST-A and a Fregat-M?

Will the launch time of day be the same as for Falcon Eye 1, 01:53 UTC?  It would be if this satellite takes the place of the lost satellite, therefore launching into the same sun-synchronous orbit with the same local time descending node.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

https://twitter.com/nicolas_pillet/status/1199765606381305858
Google translation

ALERT INFO: Following the failure of VV15, the Emirates remove their Falcon Eye 2 from VEGA and ask @Arianespace to transfer it to Soyuz-ST. Launching no earlier than 20.02.2020.

2019 is a typo

That's not a very unlogical choice from the UAE, Soyuz is one of the most reliable launch vehicles. But that would cost them about twice as much if they can't share the launch. Possibly there is also a problem that Russia would prefer offering the Soyuz launch via GK-Launch instead of via Starsem. Then a Soyuz 2.1v might be preferable above a Soyuz-2a.
Also for scheduling this is very difficult, the lead time for a launch is at least a year.
This is unfortunate for Arianespace, Avio and Europe's launch program.
But I'm not at all surprised Emirates is searching for an alternative, after their Vega launch failed after 14 successful launches.
Another alternative would be a PSLV launch, that would be a little bit more expansive than a Vega. But a failed launch is much more expansive than a more expansive launch. AFAIK they their launch will be delayed further if they swap launcher.

Would SpaceX be allowed by de government to offer a launch option.
Then the other question becomes are Airbus/ Arianegroup willing to permit launching FalconEye2 on another launcher. This really became a political mess.

[zubenelgenubi]

SFN Launch Schedule update of December 12:
Falcon Eye 2 launch in early March 2020, at approximately 0153 UTC (same launch time as Falcon Eye 1).

[gosnold]

Another alternative would be a PSLV launch, that would be a little bit more expansive than a Vega. But a failed launch is much more expansive than a more expansive launch

For Falcon eye, with a single satellite insured for 400M€ launch cost is no object.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

https://www.dlr.de/rd/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4926/8178_read-47363/

Nr.    Version      Flug       Startdatum       Nutzlast(en)   Bemerkung

24  Sojus STA    VS24    6.3.2020 (tbc)   Falcon Eye 2    02:33 dt. Zeit

02:33 CET = 0133 UTC

[zubenelgenubi]

Any news? I concede official coverage will be sparse, as the payload is, in essence, classified.

[Alter Sachse]

https://twitter.com/ClosertoSpace/status/1233837860433907714

Soyuz 2 No. 100 ?

[Closer to Space]

Yes, this is the 100th orbital flight of a Soyuz 2, and the 101st if we count the suborbital launch of Soyuz 2.1a in 2004.
It will be the 1860th orbital R-7 to be launched.

[Closer to Space]

Soyuz is on the pad!

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1234555295235559424

[Alter Sachse]

pianned launch time 01:33:28 UTC

https://twitter.com/anik1982space/status/1234563473297879041

[ace5]

do we have the serial numbers for these Soyuz and Fregat?

[zubenelgenubi]

do we have the serial numbers for these Soyuz and Fregat?

Soyuz-ST-A: See https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13239.msg2053773#msg2053773

[ace5]

do we have the serial numbers for these Soyuz and Fregat?

Soyuz-ST-A: See https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13239.msg2053773#msg2053773

thanks

[eeergo]

Observation sites closed at CSG due to coronavirus:

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1235209081956290566

[GWR64]

CNES-CSG, no payload:

[input~2]

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS:
A. 06 MAR THRU 05 APR IN AREA BOUND BY
08-40N 052-50W, 08-39N 052-36W,
08-01N 052-37W, 08-02N 052-51W.
B. 0033Z TO 0204Z DAILY 06 MAR THRU 05 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
15-44N 053-21W, 15-45N 052-52W,
14-43N 052-51W, 14-42N 053-19W.
C. 0033Z TO 0204Z DAILY 06 MAR THRU 05 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
21-52N 053-51W, 21-54N 053-10W,
20-27N 053-07W, 20-26N 053-48W.
D. 0136Z TO 0253Z DAILY 06 MAR THRU 05 APR
IN AREA BOUND BY
59-51N 056-59W, 59-52N 055-51W,
58-04N 055-45W, 58-03N 056-50W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 06 APR 20.//

Authority: FRENCH GUIANA 021132Z MAR 20.

Date: 021145Z MAR 20
Cancel: 06000000 Apr 20

[tehwkd]

Source: Soyuz-ST launch with Kourou postponed for a day due to problems in the upper stage

The launch of the launch vehicle was scheduled for the morning of March 6 (evening of March 5 in French Guiana)

MOSCOW, March 5. / TASS /. The launch of the UAE satellite Falcon Eye 2 on the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle from the Kourou space center in French Guiana was postponed for a day for technical reasons. This was announced on Thursday by TASS a source in the rocket and space industry.

The launch of the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle with the Frigate booster was scheduled for Friday morning (Thursday evening in French Guiana).

“The launch of the Soyuz is currently postponed for a day. According to preliminary information, there are problems in the overclocking unit,” the source said.

The source clarified that the launch can be postponed for a longer period. The final decision will be made after repeating the general missile tests.

Earlier, space flight operator Arianespace announced at least three planned launches using Russian Soyuz rockets from the Kourou Cosmodrome. Next in the list is the launch of the second military satellite for France, CSO-2 (the first was launched in December 2019 by the Soyuz ST-A rocket). Arianespace also expects to launch two more batches of OneWeb satellites into orbit in 2020 using Soyuz from the Kourou spaceport.

https://tass.ru/kosmos/7907867

[input~2]

Additional info

MOSCOW, March 5. / TASS /. The transfer of the launch of the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle from the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana from March 6 to 7 is associated with problems in one of the cables of the Fregat booster block. This was reported by TASS on Thursday by a source in the rocket and space industry.

“During the pre-launch checks of the electric equipment of the launch vehicle, a problem was revealed in one of the cables of the booster block,” the source said.

https://tass.ru/kosmos/7907867

[Closer to Space]

Some views of the VS-24 transfer on the launch pad. The photos are taken by the "Service optique du CNES" of course.

[Closer to Space]

Someone from the CSG told me that the flight was postponed to April 10. The launcher will be brought back to the MiK, and the Fregat replaced by the one that should have taken off on VS-25.
So, the launch of VS-25 will not take place before mid-April/May.
The VS-24 Fregat will return to Russia.

[anik]

Someone from the CSG told me that the flight was postponed to April 10. The launcher will be brought back to the MiK, and the Fregat replaced by the one that should have taken off on VS-25.
So, the launch of VS-25 will not take place before mid-April/May.
The VS-24 Fregat will return to Russia

There are many discussing variants.
Russian specialists offered a programming variant for resolving of problem in Fregat-M.
The decision will be made by Arianespace today.

[anik]

Arianespace has decided to replace Fregat-M.

[tehwkd]

Source: Soyuz-ST will be removed from launch at the Kourou space center to replace the upper stage

During complex pre-launch tests, on March 5, a malfunction was detected in the circuit board of the heating block of one of the liquid propulsion thruster rocket control system "Frigate"

MOSCOW, March 6. / TASS /. The Soyuz-ST launch vehicle, which is to launch the Falcon Eye 2 UAE satellite into orbit from the Kourou space center in French Guiana, will be removed from the launch complex to replace the Frigate upper stage. This decision was made on Friday following negotiations between specialists from the Russian Federation, France and the UAE, a source in the rocket and space industry told TASS.

"It was decided to remove the rocket from the launch pad and send it to the mounting and testing complex of the cosmodrome to replace the Frigate upper stage, on which uncritical remarks were previously detected. To use the other upper stage, available on Kura," the agency’s source said. .

He explained that during complex pre-launch tests of the launch vehicle on March 5, a malfunction was detected in the circuit board of the heating unit of one of the liquid propellant small thrust engines of the Frigate control system. “According to the results of the analysis, Russian specialists came to the conclusion that this remark does not prevent the launch and regular launch of the satellite into orbit under the conditions of the equatorial spaceport. However, the Emirate customer decided to play it safe,” the source explained.

The agency’s interlocutor noted that it would take several weeks to replace the Frigate and new pre-launch checks in the assembled launch vehicle. “The launch has been postponed until the first ten days of April,” he specified.

Now the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle remains on the launch pad of the launch site, it is planned to be removed on March 9-10.

Transfer of launch of Soyuz-ST
Initially, the launch of the satellite was scheduled for 04:33 Moscow time on March 6 (22:33 March 5, French Guiana time). On Thursday, a source in the rocket and space industry told TASS that the launch of the UAE Falcon Eye 2 satellite for optoelectronic intelligence was postponed a day in advance due to problems with the upper stage. He also noted that the launch could be delayed for a longer period. The source claimed that such a decision was made due to problems in one of the cables of the Frigate booster block.

Earlier, space flight operator Arianespace announced at least three planned launches using Russian Soyuz rockets from the Kourou Cosmodrome. Next in the list is the launch of the second military satellite for France, CSO-2 (the first was launched in December 2019 by the Soyuz ST-A rocket). Arianespace also expects to put into orbit two more batches of OneWeb satellites in 2020 using Soyuz from the Kourou spaceport.

https://tass.ru/kosmos/7917373

[joseph.a.navin]

Do we have the serial number for the off-nominal Fregat-M and the one that is going to replace it? Thanks.

[Closer to Space]

Arianespace is now targeting April 6 for the launch of VS-24.

[joseph.a.navin]

Arianespace is now targeting April 6 for the launch of VS-24.

What source is this from?

[Closer to Space]

A friend at the Guiana Space Center, I haven't seen anything "official" yet.

[Chris Bergin]

Overviewing the delay:

ARTICLE: Soyuz ST-A Falcon Eye-2 launch delayed by a month -

- By Joseph Navin (@josephanavin)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/soyuz-falcon-eye-2-launch-delayed-by-a-month/

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-posts:

Falcon Eye 2 - April 14:
https://tass.ru/kosmos/7966345

***

Re: number of Fregat-M upper stages on-site:

There are three Fregat-M at CSG including Falcon Eye-2.

VS24, VS25, VSXX?

EDITed

[patchfree]

COVID-19: Guiana Space Center suspends launch campaigns  https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/covid-19-guiana-space-center-suspends-launch-campaigns/

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the need to fully implement the measures decided by the French government, launch campaigns under way at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana have been suspended.                         
These launch preparations will resume as soon as allowed by health conditions.
This exceptional measure is designed to protect the health of employees and the local population, while also maintaining the security needed to prepare for scheduled launches.
Arianespace, French space agency CNES and all companies involved at CSG are currently overseeing operations to place launchers and satellites in safe standby condition, in line with standard procedures.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; my bold:

https://ria.ru/20200402/1569471635.html
Google translate:

"Provided that the cosmodrome resumes operation before the end of the year, three launches of Soyuz missiles from Kuru can take place," the agency’s source said.
According to him, preliminary launch of the Falcon Eye-2 satellite is scheduled for September 15, CSO-2 spacecraft for October 15, and two European Galileo navigation satellites for December 15.

[GWR64]

2 May, 17:51
Eight remaining Roscosmos specialists return from Kourou spaceport shut amid pandemic
Earlier they completed works to bring the fuel servicing equipment at the fueling station to its initial state and neutralize it

MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. Specialists of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos who stayed at the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana to complete necessary works have returned to Moscow, the Center for the Operation of the Ground-Based Space Infrastructure said on Saturday.

"The plane with the last group of Russian specialists has landed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport," the center said, adding that these people would be placed under mandatory 14-day quarantine. "Currently, all of them are feeling well," the center said.

Eight specialists of the Center and its branches earlier completed works to bring the fuel servicing equipment at the fueling station to its initial state and neutralize it.

Now all the works at the Kourou cosmodrome have been suspended over the coronavirus pandemic. As the Guiana Space Center reported earlier, these measures are called upon to protect the health of the staff and the local population and also to ensure safety required for preparing for planned space launches.

Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel said in late April that the company was getting prepared to resume preparations for two launches from the Kourou spaceport with the use of Vega and Arinae 5 carrier rockets.

In late March, about 25 Roscosmos specialists flew home from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana after its operation was suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, 21 other specialists remained at the spaceport because the rocket’s upper stage could not be left in its fueled state. On April 25, nine employees of the Lavochkin Research and Production Association returned to Russia. They are complying with a two-week quarantine.

https://tass.com/science/1152613

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

I've listed the names of the payloads with the missions:

- VS-24: Falcon Eye 2 (October 1)

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1266679264587452416

Periodical alarm of the oxidizer (nitrogen tetraoxide) vapor detection system was detected at the storage site of #Fregat upper stage intended for #FalconEye2 launch. Specialists of NPO Lavochkin will arrive at Kourou cosmodrome at early June to check it. https://ria.ru/20200529/1572195760.html

[GWR64]

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1266679264587452416

Periodical alarm of the oxidizer (nitrogen tetraoxide) vapor detection system was detected at the storage site of #Fregat upper stage intended for #FalconEye2 launch. Specialists of NPO Lavochkin will arrive at Kourou cosmodrome at early June to check it. https://ria.ru/20200529/1572195760.html

15 NPO Lavochkin specialists arrived in Cayenne on a chartered plane.

https://twitter.com/anik1982space/status/1269363985196998659

What it costs? Hopefully the defective circuit board will be replaced right away.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

https://ria.ru/20200615/1572922260.html
Google translate:

“The launch of the Soyuz-ST-A rocket with the Fregat-M booster block and the Falcon Eye-2 Arabian optical-electronic surveillance satellite is planned for October 17,” the agency’s source said.

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

Speaking again to Stephane Israel in Kourou.

Next Kourou orbital launch is Soyuz on October 16 [local time]--Falcon Eye 2--but not mentioned by name, only as a "military satellite."

[Closer to Space]

I have been informed that the launch has been postponed to November 3rd due to problems on the Fregat stage.

As a reminder at the beginning of the year, the VS-24 Fregat had been exchanged because of some problems on it (it's still at the CSG, but should be back in Russia soon), and replaced by the one that should have flown on VS-25. Today, it's the Fregat initially planned for VS-25 that has a problem.

[GWR64]

Launch postponed, the new date seems indefinite

...
NET Late November    3   - Falcon Eye 2 - Soyuz-ST-A/Fregat-M (VS24a) - Kourou ELS - 01:33:28
...
Changes on October 18th

https://ria.ru/20201018/kosmos-1580323424.html

Google translate

The source announced the postponement of the resumption of the Soyuz launches from the Kuru
03:02 18.10.2020 (updated: 04:28 18.10.2020)
 
MOSCOW, October 18 - RIA Novosti. The resumption of the launches of Russian Soyuz carrier rockets from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana, interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been postponed at least until the end of November, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.
The launch of the Soyuz-STA rocket with the Fregat-M upper stage and the UAE-owned Falcon Eye-2 optical-electronic Earth observation satellite was scheduled for early March, but was postponed due to problems with the upper stage, which was replaced with a spare ... However, in mid-March, the Kuru cosmodrome was temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, so the launch was postponed to September-October. In September, a spokesman for the press service of Roscosmos told RIA Novosti that the launch was scheduled for early November.

"The launch has been postponed at least until the end of November," the agency's source said.

According to him, this is due to problems with the "Fregat".

[zubenelgenubi]

I have been informed that the launch has been postponed to November 3rd due to problems on the Fregat stage.

As a reminder at the beginning of the year, the VS-24 Fregat had been exchanged because of some problems on it (it's still at the CSG, but should be back in Russia soon), and replaced by the one that should have flown on VS-25. Today, it's the Fregat initially planned for VS-25 that has a problem.

I wondered when the other shoe would drop on this issue.

Launch postponed, the new date seems indefinite

https://ria.ru/20201018/kosmos-1580323424.html

Google translate

The source announced the postponement of the resumption of the Soyuz launches from the Kuru
03:02 18.10.2020 (updated: 04:28 18.10.2020)
 
MOSCOW, October 18 - RIA Novosti.
<snip>
"The launch has been postponed at least until the end of November," the agency's source said.

According to him, this is due to problems with the "Fregat".

***

From "the before time"; note after March VS24 launch scrub due to the originally-assigned Fregat upper stage:

There are three Fregat-M at CSG including Falcon Eye-2.

There have been 0 Soyuz launches from Kourou as yet this year.

And, up-thread:

I have been informed that the launch has been postponed to November 3rd due to problems on the Fregat stage.

As a reminder at the beginning of the year, the VS-24 Fregat had been exchanged because of some problems on it (it's still at the CSG, but should be back in Russia soon), and replaced by the one that should have flown on VS-25. Today, it's the Fregat initially planned for VS-25 that has a problem.

Assuming by now that the Fregat originally designated to VS24(a) has shipped back to Russia, that leaves two Fregats on-site?
The Fregat originally designated to VS25, which also has a problem or problems.
And the third.

Will this 3rd on-site Fregat-M be used for VS24a?
Perhaps it has a problem or problems too?
Or is my chain of deduction wrong?

[GWR64]

The first Fregat will now be sent back.
Does this mean that the next one in Kourou can be made ready for launch?

https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1321712428405673985

The #Fregat upper stage, originally intended to launch the Falcon Eye 2 satellite, will be sent back to NPO Lavochkin by sea. This May a leak of oxidizer was detected on this upper stage that was mothballed on Kourou cosmodrome. https://ria.ru/20201029/fregat-1582015912.html

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

https://ria.ru/20201103/kosmos-1582745588.html
Google translate:

MOSCOW, November 3 - RIA Novosti. The first launch of the Russian Soyuz carrier rocket in 2020 from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana, postponed since March due to a malfunction of the Fregat upper stages and the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled for November 28, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.
"The start is scheduled for November 28 at 4.33 Moscow time," said the agency's source.

[gongora]

https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-STA-INTR2020-03399/2776921

Falconeye-2 is    the second generation earth observation satellites launched by UAE to serve the European Union.   Falconeye-2 will be launched from the Kourou space center on Nov 29th , 2020 at a nominal liftoff time of 01:33:28 UTC.   The Falconeye-2 spacecraft will be supported by the USN Alaska ground station using a downlink frequency = 2264.500 MHz and uplink = 2085.200 MHz, and has been fully coordinated by Comsearch.

Maybe someone did a date conversion wrong, it's off one day from the previous post but with the same time.

[GWR64]

https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-STA-INTR2020-03399/2776921

TLEs inside: SSO 597 km
In the launch kit VV15 for no.1 it was 611 km SSO.

[zubenelgenubi]

November 28 or 29 UTC?; my bold:

https://ria.ru/20201103/kosmos-1582745588.html
Google translate:

MOSCOW, November 3 - RIA Novosti. The first launch of the Russian Soyuz carrier rocket in 2020 from the Kourou cosmodrome in French Guiana, postponed since March due to a malfunction of the Fregat upper stages and the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled for November 28, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.
"The start is scheduled for November 28 at 4.33 Moscow time," said the agency's source.

Versus:

https://fcc.report/IBFS/SES-STA-INTR2020-03399/2776921

Falconeye-2 is the second generation earth observation satellites launched by UAE to serve the European Union.   Falconeye-2 will be launched from the Kourou space center on Nov 29th, 2020 at a nominal liftoff time of 01:33:28 UTC.   The Falconeye-2 spacecraft will be supported by the USN Alaska ground station using a downlink frequency = 2264.500 MHz and uplink = 2085.200 MHz, and has been fully coordinated by Comsearch.

Maybe someone did a date conversion wrong, it's off one day from the previous post but with the same time.

Which is correct?
According to the November 9th update of the SFN Launch Schedule:
01:33:28 Nov. 29 UTC = 22:33:28 Nov. 28 GFT (local time)

[otter]

A0434/20 NOTAMN
Q) SOOO/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/0514N05246W087
A) SOOO B) 2011290033 C) 2012090204
D) DAILY: 0033-0204
E) DUE TO VS24 ROCKET LAUNCH, DANGEROUS AREA SOD1 ACTIVATED
PENETRATION PROHIBITED DURING ACTIVITY
F) SFC G) UNL

A0435/20 NOTAMN
Q) SOOO/QRDCA/IV/BO/W/000/999/0514N05246W087
A) SOOO B) 2011290033 C) 2012090204
D) DAILY: 0033-0204
E) DUE TO VS24 ROCKET LAUNCH, DANGEROUS AREA SOD2 ACTIVATED
PENETRATION PROHIBITED DURING ACTIVITY

F3305/20 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3307S08946E500
A) YMMM
B) 2011290352 C) 2012090509
D) DAILY 0352/0509
E) ROCKET LAUNCH FROM FRENCH GUIANA
SOYOUZ LAUNCH VS24 FREGAT FALLING AREA WILL IMPACT THE MELBOURNE FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR)
THE DANGER ZONE IS BOUNDED BY THE FOLLOWING COORDINATES: 4100S08700E 2506S09100E 2512S09206E 4100S08818E
F) SFC G) UNL

[zubenelgenubi]

State of play at Kourou for the rest of the year:

Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
December 2 1 November 30 29 - Falcon Eye 2 - Soyuz-ST-A/Fregat-M (VS24a) - Kourou ELS - 01:33:28
December 28 - CSO 2 - Soyuz-ST-A/Fregat-M (VS25) - Kourou ELS

Changes on November 28th
Changes on November 30th
Changes on December 1st

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post; launch moving forward a day?

https://www.dlr.de/rd/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4926/8178_read-47363/

Nr    Version     Flug        Startdatum                Nutzlast(en)    Bemerkung

24  Sojus STA  VS24a    28. November 2020     Falcon Eye 2     02:33 dt.
 
ZeitAngaben ohne Gewähr, Änderungen jederzeit möglich. Aktualisiert:  20. November 2020

[zubenelgenubi]

First, a Fregat swap.  Now, a side block issue.  Cross-post:

https://ria.ru/20201123/raketa-1585953501.html
Google translate:

"In preparation for the launch of the Soyuz-ST-A rocket, a defective valve was found on one of its side blocks. It will be replaced with a spare one taken from another rocket at the cosmodrome. This should not affect the launch date on November 29", - said the interlocutor of the agency.

[Alter Sachse]

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1331540625968214016

Roll out

[Steven Pietrobon]

Bing translation.

"The launch of a space rocket to the launch complex has begun at the Guiana Space Center."

[Alter Sachse]

https://www.facebook.com/association.anciens.du.csg/?hc_ref=ARSgn5CY66i9_kU6FePt1Wq3VtsnpOuywlHTdfg-OZjDMVmuayEzm14M8JiT7a2MNG8&fref=nf&__tn__=kC-R

[Alter Sachse]

No launch tonight ?

https://twitter.com/DutchSpace/status/1332643580926701568

[eeergo]

24h delay.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1332739849850380293

[Closer to Space]

So uh, they published a press kit that explain that Arianespace will launch an undisclosed satellite on Soyuz.

At the bottom of the page there is "FALCON EYE" written in large letters. Arianespace's discretion is truly amazing...

https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/1332816299542671361

[zubenelgenubi]

At the bottom of the page there is "FALCON EYE" written in large letters.

I followed the link circa 8 pm EST? They removed it.

[bolun]

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/vs24-soyuz-launch/

[Bean Kenobi]

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/vs24-soyuz-launch/

Mentioning time in Abu Dhabi is another (not) hidden clue ;-)

[bolun]

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/vs24-soyuz-launch/

Mentioning time in Abu Dhabi is another (not) hidden clue ;-)

If you want to look for hidden clues, they have written "... separation of the satellites" 

Typo or more secret satellites? 

[GWR64]

At the bottom of the page there is "FALCON EYE" written in large letters.

I followed the link circa 8 pm EST? They removed it.

"SUCCESS" removed too 

[GWR64]

Launch kit
https://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/VS24-launchkit-EN_2.pdf
"FalconEye" is everywhere

[starbase]

Why "VS24a"? Arianespace designates the flight as VS24

https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/1333129471625465859

[whiztech]

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast will start at 01:18 UTC.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Why "VS24a"? Arianespace designates the flight as VS24

I believe it is because VS24 was originally scheduled to fly another payload, which got bumped when Falcon Eye 2 moved from Vega to Soyuz.

[Closer to Space]

If you want to look for hidden clues, they have written "... separation of the satellites" 

Typo or more secret satellites? 

I think it's just a mistake, on the french press kit there's:

« La durée nominale de la mission (du décollage à la séparation du satellite) est de : »
→ "The nominal duration of the mission (from liftoff to the satellite separation) is :"

There's only one sat on-board

[Steven Pietrobon]

Two minutes and holding.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast has started.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Arianespace CEO. Into final checks.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-12 minutes. Describing the mission.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes. Board is green.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-9 minutes. Mission animation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-8 minutes. Fregat will be deorbited.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Saying the launch is scrubbed. There is a red for the weather.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. The red is for in-flight lighting.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Stephen confirming the launch is scrubbed. Will try again tomorrow.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Wrapping up webcast.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Ticker announcing the delay.

[Steven Pietrobon]

End of the webcast.

[kdhilliard]

On the table in the foreground of the opening shot:
Les Deux Vies de Soyouz
Christian Lardier et Stefan Barensky
(Amazon)

English version:
The Soyuz Launch Vehicle: The Two Lives of an Engineering Triumph
Christian Lardier & Stefan Barensky
Translator Tim Bowler
(Amazon)

[Chris Bergin]

Well that was surreal!

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1333221466373025796

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1333223498815315970

[jacqmans]

November 29, 2020

Weather conditions delay Soyuz Flight VS24

The Soyuz launcher for Flight VS24 is shown in its protective mobile launch gantry during tonight’s countdown at the Spaceport.

Arianespace stopped the final countdown for Soyuz Flight VS24 at 3 minutes, 54 seconds before liftoff tonight because of the potential risk for a lightning strike on the launch vehicle during its ascent from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The Soyuz launcher and its FalconEye satellite payload are in stable and safe conditions.

The soonest possible launch date for Flight VS24 is Monday, November 30 at:

> 8:33 p.m., in Washington, D.C.;
> 10:33 p.m., in Kourou, French Guiana;
> 01:33 Universal Time (UTC) on December 1;
> 2:33 a.m., in Paris, on December 1; and
> 5:33 a.m., in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on December 1.

https://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/weather-conditions-delay-arianespaces-soyuz-flight-vs24/

[Satori]

So 'VS24a' is not an official designation?

[russianhalo117]

So 'VS24a' is not an official designation?

With CNES and ROSCOSMOS yes, but everyone else no.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Link to livestream.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast starting at 01:18 UTC.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast starting in about two minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast has begun.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Arianespace CEO. Things are going well. Monitoring weather.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-12 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes. Talking about sun synchronous orbit.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-9 minutes. Launch animation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-8 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-6 minutes. Still talking about SSO.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. Countdown proceeding normally.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. Launch integration video.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Countdown is red. Held at T-5 minutes and 3 seconds.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Non-nominal reception of telemetry data for the safety team. Launcher, satellite and weather were go. Will be trying again tomorrow.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Good view of Soyuz.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Ticker announcing the delay.

[Steven Pietrobon]

End of webcast.

[PM3]

As the reception of telemetry data by the range safety team was not nominal, Arianespace decided to interrupt the final VS24 launch chronology 5 minutes and 03 seconds before liftoff.

The soonest possible launch date for the VS24 Flight is Tuesday, 01 December at:
> 08:33 p.m., in Washington, D.C.
> 10:33 p.m., in Kourou, French Guiana
> 01:33 Universal Time (UTC) on 02 December
> 02:33 a.m., in Paris, on 02 December
> 05:33 a.m., in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) time, on 02 December

The Soyuz launch vehicle and the satellite FalconEye are in stable and safe conditions.

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/flight-vs24-soyuz-falconeye-launch-delay/

[Notleslie]

I found this statement on RussianSpaceWeb (http://www.russianspaceweb.com/falcon-eye-2.html) regarding this mission

"The second stage will fire until five minutes into the flight, when the third stage should take over. The first stage boosters and the two segments of the payload fairing will fall into the Atlantic south of the Equator and the third stage will impact west of Greenland."

My question is, has anyone found notams or notmars for the Second and Third Stage re-entries? The two I have found look like the First Stage (A0436/20) and Fregat (F3305/20) ones.

EDIT: Make that 3 Notams, may have found the second stage one now (A2173/20). Just looking for a third stage one now.

[Notleslie]

[GWR64]

Two attempts so far.
Once more LOX for the Soyuz? Or how often can that be done?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Updated press kit.

[patchfree]

An online transmission this time for the third tentative?

[Steven Pietrobon]

An online transmission this time for the third tentative?

If you're asking about a livestream, I'm expecting that there will be one. We're just waiting for Arianespace to provide the link.

[patchfree]

Yes My question was that...I am also waiting for link.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Link to livestream.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Webcast starting at 01:27 UTC.

[Steven Pietrobon]

2 minute countdown.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here we go again!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. Everything is green.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-1 minute.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Umbilical retraction.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liftoff!

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1333947728456523776

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes. First stage separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+3 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+4 minutes. Fairing separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Second stage separation.

T+5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Third stage separation.

T+9 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fregat first ignition.

T+10 minutes.

[cpushack]

A bit of an awkward moment when the commentator asks 'why use a Soyuz?'

Well last time we used a Vega things happened

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+11 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+12 minutes. Trajectory going well.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+13 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+14 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+15 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+16 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+17 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fregat first cutoff.

T+18 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+20 minutes. Upcoming events.

0:54:51 Second Fregat burn    
0:55:24 Second Fregat burn cut-off    
0:58:45 Separation of FalconEye    
1:50:55 Third Fregat burn    
1:51:56 Third Fregat burn cut-off    
1:58:43 End of the Arianespace mission    

[zubenelgenubi]

<snip>   
1:50:55 Third Fregat burn    
1:51:56 Third Fregat burn cut-off    
1:58:43 End of the Arianespace mission

Fregat disposal into the Indian Ocean.

F3305/20 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3307S08946E500
A) YMMM
B) 2011290352 C) 2012090509
D) DAILY 0352/0509
E) ROCKET LAUNCH FROM FRENCH GUIANA
SOYOUZ LAUNCH VS24 FREGAT FALLING AREA WILL IMPACT THE MELBOURNE FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION (FIR)
THE DANGER ZONE IS BOUNDED BY THE FOLLOWING COORDINATES: 4100S08700E 2506S09100E 2512S09206E 4100S08818E
F) SFC G) UNL

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+40 minutes.

[zubenelgenubi]

While we wait for the 2nd Fregat burn, a Soyuz/Fregat question, in any of its forms or launch locations.

At 3rd stage burnout, is the vehicle always at a suborbital velocity?  Must the Fregat boost itself into orbit?

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+50 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

At 3rd stage burnout, is the vehicle always at a suborbital velocity?  Must the Fregat boost itself into orbit?

Inertial velocity was only 6.8 km/s at third stage cutoff, so it was definitely suborbital.

[Steven Pietrobon]

One minute to second ignition.

[Steven Pietrobon]

AOS New Norcia.

Second ignition.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Fregat second cutoff.

[Steven Pietrobon]

One minute to separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Confirmation of separation!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Some un-COVID safe hugs!

[Chris Bergin]

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1333962582726733824

[Steven Pietrobon]

Arianespace CEO. Confirmation of insertion into nominal orbit. Thanking customers.

[Steven Pietrobon]

UAE FalconEye Program Chairman.

[zubenelgenubi]

Some un-COVID safe hugs!

Yes, a mixture of such and "elbow bumps."

[Steven Pietrobon]

Airbus Defence and Space Navigation & Science SVP Head of Earth Observation.

Thales Alenia Space Head of French and Export Earth Observation Programs.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Two Soyuz missions by end of year. OneWeb from Vostochney and one from Kourou after Christmas.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch replays and end of webcast.

Congratulations to Arianespace and the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates for the successful launch!

[jacqmans]

December 1, 2020

Soyuz delivers FalconEye to orbit for the United Arab Emirates

Arianespace orbited the United Arab Emirates’ FalconEye Earth observation satellite tonight on its latest Soyuz mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Lifting off at the precise moment set for this launch at 10:33 p.m. (local time in French Guiana), Soyuz deployed its 1,340-kg. passenger into Sun-synchronous orbit.

After an initial powered phase of Soyuz’ three lower stages, the flight’s trajectory included two burns of the Fregat upper stage to place FalconEye – the space component of the United Arab Emirates’ new Earth observation system – into orbit.

Two operational goals for FalconEye
FalconEye is equipped with a very-high-resolution Earth observation payload, complemented by a ground system for monitoring, receiving and processing images.

Once operational, it will serve two goals: supporting needs of the UAE Armed Forces; and providing commercial imagery.

As the FalconEye’s prime contractor, Airbus Defence and Space was in charge of the platform and satellite design, integration and testing. Co-prime contractor Thales Alenia Space designed and supplied the optical instrument as well as the image chain subsystem.

The Soyuz workhorse to low- and medium-Earth orbits

Tonight’s mission was designated Flight VS24 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system, signifying the 24th deployment of this medium-lift launcher from the Spaceport in French Guiana. It underscored Soyuz’ capability to serve low and medium orbits for Earth observation satellites and constellations – complementing Arianespace’s heavyweight Ariane 5 and the light-lift Vega launch vehicles.

Flight VS24 was the third with Soyuz for Arianespace in 2020: the two previous missions were carried out in February and March from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, orbiting OneWeb satellites.

Two more Arianespace Soyuz launches are planned before year-end: Flight ST29 from the new Russian launch site in Vostochny for OneWeb; and Flight VS25 from the Spaceport.

https://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/vs24-soyuz-launch-success/

[jacqmans]

December 1, 2020
Soyuz Flight VS24: Mission success at the service of the United Arab Emirates

Arianespace has successfully launched FalconEye, a very-high-performance Earth observation satellite for the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

With the eighth launch in 2020, Arianespace once again confirms the reliability and flexibility of the Soyuz launcher, which just realized its 24th launch from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

On Tuesday, December 1, at 10:33 p.m. (local time), Arianespace successfully launched the FalconEye optical observation satellite using a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. FalconEye is a very-high-performance optical Earth observation satellite developed in a consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space for the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces (UAEAF).

“The success of this launch is the culmination of excellent teamwork: with our Russian partners for the Soyuz launcher; with satellite manufacturers Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, as well as with their client, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, for Falcon Eye; along with the French CNES space agency and the French DGA armaments procurement and technology agency. Therefore, Arianespace is pleased to have served the space ambitions of the United Arab Emirates,” declared Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace.

The FalconEye satellite offers very-high-resolution optical observation capabilities, coupled with a high-performance ground segment to receive and process images. This was the 23rd satellite launched by Arianespace that was produced jointly by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space. Airbus Defence and Space, prime contractor for FalconEye, was in charge of satellite design, integration and testing, as well as supplying the platform. Thales Alenia Space, as co-prime, supplied the high-performance payload, which features a very-high-resolution optical instrument and the image transmission subsystem.

This mission also marks Arianespace’s 31st launch for a customer from the Middle East.

FalconEye was deployed by Arianespace’s third Soyuz flight in 2020; the two previous missions were carried out in February and March from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Two more Soyuz launches are planned before year-end: Flight ST29 from the new Russian launch site in Vostochny for OneWeb; and Flight VS25 from the CSG. With more than 1,900 launches to its credit overall since entering service in 1963, the Soyuz launcher is the most flexible and most utilized in its class. As the medium-lift launcher in Arianespace’s family of launch vehicles, Soyuz perfectly complements the European launch service operator’s commercial offer, particularly in serving low and medium orbits for the benefit of Earth observation satellites and constellations.

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/soyuz-flight-vs24-mission-success-at-the-service-of-the-united-arab-emirates/

[kdhilliard]

A bit of an awkward moment when the commentator asks 'why use a Soyuz?'
...

Indeed.
That was at T+09:00 -- https://youtube.com/watch?v=9N_RT5cKxb0&t=2821
(Talking over separation of the Block-I.)
The eventual answer (talking over Fregat ignition) was that for this kind of mission, "Soyuz is perfect".

Another awkward moment was at T+03:30 -- https://youtube.com/watch?v=9N_RT5cKxb0&t=2491
Joshua Jampol (Commentator): "Next up, fairing jettison.  Before that, we are flying north, to what kind of an orbit?  We're going around the sun?"
Raphael Chevrier responded by explaining Sun-synchronous orbits (while talking over fairing separation).

^{Everyone's a critic, etc.  But as with the recent Sentinel-6 mission, I'd have thought that when you have a long webcast to fill, you'd give as much time as possible to the actual stars of the show -- the spacecraft!  (Particularly when you know to the second when the various events are to occur.)}

[ZachS09]

I don't blame Jampol for asking these kinds of questions. I think it's a short-term memory thing now that he's in his elder age.

[jacqmans]

02.12.2020

The Soyuz ST-A launch vehicle was routinely launched from the GKTs

Today, December 2, 2020, at 04:33:28 Moscow time from the launch pad of the Guiana Space Center, the leading European operator of launch services Arianespace successfully launched the Soyuz-ST-A launch vehicle (manufactured by the Progress Rocket and Space Center , part of the State Corporation "Roscosmos") and the upper stage "Fregat-M" (produced by the Lavochkin Association, part of  the State Corporation "Roscosmos" ).

In 8 minutes 48 seconds after the launch, the head unit as part of the upper stage and the spacecraft separated from the third stage of the launch vehicle in the normal mode. Then the upper stage "Fregat-M" began to perform the flight mission to launch the satellite into the target orbit.

In 58 minutes after the launch, the spacecraft separated from the upper stage "Fregat-M" and was successfully launched into orbit.

Roscosmos State Corporation is responsible for the implementation of the Soyuz program in the Guiana Space Center on the Russian side and coordinates work with domestic enterprises in the rocket and space industry involved in the program. The main contract integrator of Russian cooperation enterprises in this project is Glavkosmos (part of the Roscosmos State Corporation), providing interaction with Arianespace.

https://www.roscosmos.ru/29620/

[Lewis007]

Video of VS 24 launch posted by CSG