Author Topic: LIVE: Soyuz-2-1A launch with six Globalstar-2 satellites - July 13, 2011 (Read 90627 times)

anik · « **on:** 02/21/2011 06:42 pm »

According to Novosti kosmonavtiki forum, the launch of Soyuz-2-1A rocket with Fregat upper stage and six Globalstar-2 satellites from the launch pad 31/6 of Baikonur cosmodrome is planned on May 18, 2011.

anik · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/10/2011 07:45 pm »

The launch is planned on May 14.

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #2 on:** 03/15/2011 06:11 pm »

The 6 satellites were delivered today in Baykonur in a unique An-124.

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=15806

For the precedent launch in october 2010, satellites were delivered by two different An-124 flights (each with a triplet).

bolun · « **Reply #3 on:** 03/22/2011 07:30 pm »

The second Soyuz launch campaign with Globalstar second-generation satellites has begun at Baikonur Cosmodrome

March 22, 2011 – Soyuz Flight ST23

Preparations are now underway for Arianespace’s next Soyuz mission to deploy Globalstar’s second-generation satellite constellation, which is scheduled during May from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome.

The six spacecraft to be lofted by Soyuz arrived last week at the Cosmodrome, delivered by an Antonov An-124 that also brought the ground support equipment for the satellites’ pre-launch checkout.

Globalstar has contracted with Arianespace for a total of four Soyuz launches carrying six spacecraft each to orbit its second-generation constellation, which will be composed of 24 satellites. The mission in May will be the second such flight, building on the successful kick-off launch conducted last October. After the upcoming mission, Globalstar plans two additional flights within 60-90 days following each of the previous launches.

These spacecraft will join eight first-generation platforms launched during 2007 in support Globalstar’s current lineup of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services – including the company’s SPOT retail consumer products.

Globalstar’s second-generation satellites are 700-kg.-class spacecraft with a trapezoidal-shaped main body, enabling six of them to be integrated on a dispenser system for the Soyuz missions.

The Globalstar flights are being performed on behalf of Arianespace by its Starsem affiliate.

Soyuz launchers have played a key role in the creation of Globalstar’s satellite constellations. Eight Soyuz missions conducted by Starsem from 1999 to 2007 orbited a total of 32 first-generation Globalstar spacecraft. On these previous flights, each mission carried four of the 450-kg. first-generation satellites.

Globalstar has over 425,000 subscribers for the company’s mobile satellite voice and data services. It provides coverage in more than 120 countries around the world, with users in sectors that include oil and gas, government, business, mining, forestry, commercial fishing, utilities, military, transportation, heavy construction and emergency preparedness, along with individual recreational users.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/774.asp

anik · « **Reply #4 on:** 03/30/2011 05:47 pm »

The launch is planned at 03:34 UTC on May 14th.

PCSTEL · « **Reply #5 on:** 04/01/2011 05:13 pm »

Quote from: anik on 03/30/2011 05:47 pm

The launch is planned at 03:34 UTC on May 14th.

Anyone have any data on the 2.1A launcher for this launch? Has it been delivered yet?

Thanks,
PCSTEL

Danderman · « **Reply #6 on:** 04/01/2011 05:16 pm »

Quote from: PCSTEL on 04/01/2011 05:13 pm

Quote from: anik on 03/30/2011 05:47 pm
The launch is planned at 03:34 UTC on May 14th.

Anyone have any data on the 2.1A launcher for this launch? Has it been delivered yet?

Thanks,
PCSTEL

This message implies the answer is yes:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=17286.msg708688#msg708688

bolun · « **Reply #7 on:** 04/02/2011 07:52 am »

Processing is underway for Globalstar's second-generation satellites to be launched by Soyuz in May

April 1, 2011 – Soyuz Flight ST23

The six Globalstar second-generation satellites to be orbited by Arianespace’s next Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome are well advanced in their preparations as activities continue for the liftoff during May.

In a phased process, these 700-kg.-class spacecraft are proceeding through electrical and propulsion system checks, pressurization, fueling and weighing – readying them for integration on a conical-shaped dispenser that subsequently will be installed on the Soyuz launcher.

The ongoing satellite preparations are being performed in the Cosmodrome’s Payload Processing Facility (PPF) and Hazardous Processing Facility (HPF) operated by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate, which also will conduct the Soyuz launch on behalf of Arianespace.

Globalstar has contracted with Arianespace to conduct a series of four Soyuz launches, each of which will carry six of the second-generation satellites for a total of 24 spacecraft. The upcoming flight in May is the second such mission, following a successful inaugural launch last October. In keeping up the pace, Globalstar plans two additional flights with 60-90 day intervals.

The second-generation Globalstar satellites were produced by Thales Alenia Space and have trapezoidal-shaped main bodies that are designed to enable the “cluster” of six to be integrated on a conical-shaped dispenser for each flight.

These satellites are designed to support Globalstar’s current lineup of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services – including the company’s lineup of SPOT retail consumer products. They will join eight first-generation Globalstar spacecraft launched in 2007 to form a 32-satellite constellation.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/781.asp

PCSTEL · « **Reply #8 on:** 04/06/2011 09:01 pm »

Quote from: anik on 03/30/2011 05:47 pm

The launch is planned at 03:34 UTC on May 14th.

Rumor circulating that the May 14th launch is now delayed?

?

anik · « **Reply #9 on:** 04/07/2011 07:10 am »

Quote from: PCSTEL on 04/06/2011 09:01 pm

Rumor circulating that the May 14th launch is now delayed?

Yes, four of six Globalstar-2 satellites will be returned to Thales Alenia Space. Four new satellites will be delivered to Baikonur instead of them. The launch is planned in the end of June or in the beginning of July.

jacqmans · « **Reply #10 on:** 04/14/2011 04:32 am »

Launch delay for Soyuz Flight ST23
April 11, 2011 – Soyuz Flight ST23

Globalstar has announced a launch delay for the upcoming Arianespace Soyuz mission, which will deploy six of the company’s second-generation satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Originally scheduled for mid-May, the launch was delayed on the recommendation of satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space – which determined that additional technical checks of the spacecraft were necessary in order to respect the quality process and secure the mission.

Globalstar does not anticipate a lengthy delay, and is working closely with Thales Alenia Space to provide additional information on the new launch timing as it becomes available.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/785.asp

Nicolas PILLET · « **Reply #11 on:** 05/02/2011 09:47 am »

I was told that the problem is linked to the inertial wheels.

PCSTEL · « **Reply #12 on:** 05/03/2011 02:14 am »

Quote from: Nicolas PILLET on 05/02/2011 09:47 am

I was told that the problem is linked to the inertial wheels.

Nicolas:

"inertial wheels"?. That kind of sounds "systemic"? Last year the Skyterra 1 satellite was returned to Boeing due to out of specification lubricant on the Inertial Wheels.

Do you have any data on the number of satellites that were returned to Thales? The number floating around was 4, but not sure if you can confirm? I am hearing around July 8th for the next launch. Any idea when replacement LEO's will be shipped to Baikonur. For a July 8th launch we should see the six week program begin again the middle of this month. We saw a picture with two of the latest satellites mounted to the upper dispenser about a month ago, but not sure if those were later removed for return to Thales?

http://orbitrax.com/?p=4336

anik · « **Reply #13 on:** 05/04/2011 07:57 am »

I was told that satellites will be returned to Baikonur on May 22nd and the launch is planned on July 3rd.

anik · « **Reply #14 on:** 05/08/2011 06:37 pm »

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110506-globalstar-resets-launch-campaign.html

"Monroe said the launch has been rescheduled for mid-July, which should give Arianespace and Starsem enough time to launch two more groups of six satellites by the end of the year. An Arianespace official on May 5 confirmed this schedule"

PCSTEL · « **Reply #15 on:** 05/22/2011 03:26 pm »

Anyone have an update on Globalstar satellite re-delivery.

I think it was supposed to take place last week in Rome. Wasn't sure when they will return to Baikonur.

According to info I received at the Shareholder Meeting last week. They state that all of the wheels, on all of the satellites will be run at ~half-speed, once the satellites are on-orbit and phased.

PCSTEL

Quote from: anik on 05/04/2011 07:57 am

I was told that satellites will be returned to Baikonur on May 22nd and the launch is planned on July 3rd.

anik · « **Reply #16 on:** 06/01/2011 05:05 pm »

Three Globalstar-2 satellites were delivered to Baikonur yesterday. The launch is planned on July 11th.

anik · « **Reply #17 on:** 06/28/2011 06:18 am »

According to http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=10, the launch is planned at 02:58:57 UTC.

bolun · « **Reply #18 on:** 06/28/2011 08:05 am »

Soyuz liftoff with six Globalstar satellites is set for July 11 from Baikonur Cosmodrome

June 27, 2011 – Soyuz Flight ST23

Arianespace’s next Soyuz launch with Globalstar’s second-generation satellites is on schedule for a July 11 liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, as all six spacecraft have been fueled and integrated on their dispenser system.

This will be the second such mission conducted for Arianespace by its Starsem affiliate, and is to be followed by two more flights before year-end.

The second-generation Globalstar satellites were built by Thales Alenia Space and are trapezoidal in shape to allow their installation on the Soyuz’ conical-shaped dispenser.

Globalstar has contracted with Arianespace to conduct a series of four Soyuz launches, each of which will carry six of the second-generation satellites for a total of 24 spacecraft.

Once this new constellation is fully deployed, it will support Globalstar’s mobile satellite voice and data services for commercial and government customers in more than 120 countries.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/809.asp

jacqmans · « **Reply #19 on:** 06/29/2011 06:36 pm »

Globalstar-2 Satellites Mated with the Fregat Upper Stage

29.06.2011

Globalstar-2 launch campaign is in progress at Baikonur.
6 Globalstar spacecraft have been integrated with Fregat upper stage. The stack is to be covered with the fairing next, finalizing integration of the space upper composite.

The cluster of 6 Globalstars is to be launched aboard Russian Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat for July 11.

Globalstar-2 spacecraft are intended for US low-orbit constellation with the same name.

Roscosmos PAO
http://www.roscosmos.ru/