LAUNCHED: Soyuz ST-B Flight VS01 - Galileo IOV-M1 PFM/FM2 - October 21, 2011

[bolun]

Build-up is underway for the no. 1 Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana

September 16, 2011 – Soyuz Flight VS01

The first Soyuz to be operated from French Guiana has begun the integration process, marking a major step toward Arianespace’s introduction of the workhorse medium-lift vehicle into its launcher family at the Spaceport.

During activity this week, the Soyuz launcher’s central core Block A second stage was fitted with one of four strap-on boosters that constitute the Russian-built launcher’s first stage.

The horizontal integration is taking place inside a purpose-built Launcher Integration Building at the Spaceport, where Soyuz vehicles will undergo their initial build-up.  Once assembled, they will be rolled out to the launch pad and erected in the vertical position for installation of the upper composite – consisting of Soyuz’ Fregat upper stage and the satellite payload.

Liftoff of the historic no. 1 Soyuz from French Guiana is set for October 20 with two European Galileo navigation satellites, and will be followed by a second flight of the Russian launcher at the Spaceport in December.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/841.asp

[Lewis007]

Build-up is underway for the no. 1 Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana

An extensive set of photos of preparations of the Soyuz rocket can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/esa_events/sets/72157627550888615/with/6153085734/

[bolun]

Countdown to Europe’s first Soyuz launch under way

20 September 2011

The clock is ticking for the first Soyuz flight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket, which will carry the first two satellites of Europe’s Galileo navigation system into orbit, is being prepared for launch on 20 October.
 
Final assembly began on 12 September of the three-stage Soyuz ST-B, consisting of four first-stage boosters clustered around the core second stage, topped off by the third stage.

The Launcher Flight Readiness Review in July gave the green light to begin assembling the rocket.

The campaign began on 16 August in the assembly and testing building – known by its original ‘MIK’ Russian acronym – with electrical and mechanical tests of the upgraded, reignitable Fregat-MT upper stage. It will carry an additional 900 kg of propellants for its double-satellite load.

Fregat was then moved to the Payload Preparation Building S3B to fill its four spherical propellant tanks.

Soyuz will be rolled out horizontally to the launch pad on 14 October and raised into its vertical launch position.

A new 45 m-tall mobile gantry was built specifically for Soyuz operations in French Guiana. It protects the satellites and the launcher from the humid tropical environment and provides access to the Soyuz at various levels for checkout activities.

The upper composite, comprising the Fregat upper stage, payload and fairing, is then hoisted on top of Soyuz.

October’s launch will be doubly historic: the first Soyuz from a spaceport outside of Baikonur in Kazakhstan or Plesetsk in Russia and the start of building Europe’s Galileo satnav constellation.

The two Galileo satellites have arrived from the Rome facility of Thales Alenia Space Italy - the first on 7 September, the second on 14 September - and are undergoing initial preparations.
 
The next step will be to attach the satellites to Fregat, followed by the fairing.

Next year, the second pair of satellites will join them in orbit, proving the design of the Galileo system in advance of the other 26 satellites.

These first four satellites, built by a consortium led by EADS Astrium Germany, will form the operational nucleus of the full Galileo satnav constellation.

They combine the best atomic clock ever flown for navigation – accurate to one second in three million years – with a powerful transmitter to broadcast precise navigation data worldwide.

Soyuz at CSG

‘Soyuz at CSG’ – drawing on the French name of Centre Spatial Guyanais – is an ESA programme with the participation of seven Member States.

Construction of the Soyuz launch site began in February 2007, although initial excavation and ground infrastructure work began in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

It is almost identical to the other Soyuz sites in Kazakhstan and Russia, although adapted to conform to European safety regulations. The most visible difference is the mobile gantry.

ESA handed over the site to Arianespace, responsible for the Soyuz launch operations, in March. A simulated launch campaign was completed in May.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMS693UNSG_index_0.html

[Fuji]

Soyuz dry-run (time-lapse)
http://multimedia.esa.int/Videos/2011/09/Soyuz-dry-run-time-lapse

Good Video

[robertross]

Soyuz dry-run (time-lapse)
http://multimedia.esa.int/Videos/2011/09/Soyuz-dry-run-time-lapse

Good Video

Cool video, thanks for the link.

[bolun]

Galileo IOV satellites fuelled for launch
 
4 October 2011

ESA’s first two Galileo navigation satellites are both now fuelled and checked for their launch by Soyuz from French Guiana on 20 October.
 
The two Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellites reached Europe’s Spaceport last month. Galileo’s second flight model, FM2, touched down on 7 September on an Antonov-124 and the Galileo Protoflight Model followed it seven days later on an Ilyushin 76.

Both satellites are now fuelled and ready to be mated this week onto the dispenser that will hold them in place during launch before deploying them into their final 23 222 km orbit. 

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Galileo_IOV/SEM0E29U7TG_0.html

---------------

Soyuz-Galileo IOV launch website

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Galileo_IOV/

[bolun]

On-time preparations continue for Soyuz' milestone mission from French Guiana

October 7, 2011 – Soyuz Flight VS01

Preparations for the first Soyuz launch from French Guiana are on track for its historic liftoff later this month with two Galileo navigation satellites.

“We’re right on the timeline, and everything is proceeding well from all aspects,” said Jean-Claude Garreau, Arianespace’s Launch Site Operations Manager for the mission.

The basic Soyuz has been fully assembled in the Spaceport’s MIK Integration Building, with its horizontal build-up process completed ahead of schedule, Garreau said.  Three elements have been integrated to create this basic vehicle: the launcher’s second stage central core, the four first-stage boosters that are clustered around it, and the centerline third stage.

With this integration step complete, Soyuz is ready for rollout to the launch pad and erection to the vertical position, where its upper composite – consisting of the Fregat MT upper stage, the two Galileo satellites and a protective payload fairing – will be installed.

Integration activity for the upper composite is underway in one of the Spaceport’s clean room facilities, where the Fregat stage has been fueled and is ready for mating with the pair of Galileo satellites.

On the October 20 mission, the Soyuz ST-B launcher will deploy its two-passenger payload into a 23,222 km. orbit.  The Galileo satellites are to ride side-by-side on a dispenser, with a pyrotechnic separation system used to release them in opposite directions.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/847.asp

[bolun]

Galileo satellites await launch side-by-side
 
7 October 2011

The twin Galileo satellites have been attached to the supporting dispenser that will hold them in place during their 20 October launch atop the first Soyuz from French Guiana.
 
The first Galileo In-Orbit Validation satellite – known as ‘PFM’ – was attached to one side of the dispenser on Tuesday 4 October, with the second flight model, ‘FM2’, joining it on the other side the following day.

The procedure took place in the S5B fuelling facility, where both satellites’ tanks had been filled with 12 years’ worth of propellant the previous week. 

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Galileo_IOV/SEMQ5S9U7TG_0.html

[anik]

The launch is planned at 10:34:28.3 UTC on October 20th.

[bolun]

Final assembly of Soyuz flight VS01

http://multimedia.esa.int/Videos/2011/10/Final-assembly-of-Soyuz-flight-VS01

[jacqmans]

Soyuz' first launch campaign at the Spaceport enters its next phase of preparations

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/848.asp

October 10, 2011 – Soyuz Flight VS01

Activities are in full swing across the Spaceport as its launch campaign for Soyuz’ maiden flight from French Guiana moves ahead for the historic liftoff on October 20.
 
The mission’s two Galileo navigation satellites have been integrated on the dispenser system that will deploy them during the mission, while the basic three-stage Soyuz launcher is undergoing final testing and checkout, and final validations of the launch pad are being completed.

Integration of the Galileo spacecraft on their dispenser occurred in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility, where these European-built satellites also had been filled with propellant for their 12 years of operation in orbit.

The launch dispenser was developed for Arianespace by RUAG Space Sweden, and carries the satellites in a side-by-side arrangement.  It will deploy the spacecraft four hours after launch by firing a pyrotechnic separation system to release them in opposite directions at the 23,222-km. orbital insertion point.

These satellites are the first of four In-Orbit Validation spacecraft to be launched by Soyuz, forming the operational nucleus of Europe’s full 30-satellite Galileo navigation constellation being developed by the European Space Agency.   The platforms were produced by EADS Astrium and have a launch mass of 700 kg. each.   Program planning calls for the second set of two Galileo satellites to be orbited in 2012.

Separately, the Soyuz launcher’s Fregat upper stage has been positioned on the integration stand in the Spaceport’s S3B clean room facility, readying it to receive the Galileo satellites and their protective payload fairing – creating the mission’s “upper composite.”

In the Spaceport’s northern sector, the ELS launch site also is alive with activity in preparation for the upcoming rollout of the basic three-stage Soyuz vehicle.  The Soyuz is undergoing final testing inside its MIK launcher integration building, with the final checkout on schedule for an October 14 transfer to the launch pad.  Once in the launch zone, the Soyuz will be raised to the vertical position for installation of the upper composite.

On the ELS launch pad itself, final verifications are now underway – including wrap-up functional and operational tests – in preparation for the Soyuz rollout this Friday.

The October 20 liftoff of Soyuz is set for 7:34 a.m. local time in French Guiana (10h34 UTC).  This mission carries the “VS01” designation for Soyuz flights from the Spaceport, which will follow sequential numbering as the medium-lift vehicle joins Arianespace’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the lightweight Vega – creating a complete launcher family.

[jacqmans]

A “workout” for Soyuz' launch site in preparation for the October 20 maiden flight

October 11, 2011 – Soyuz Flight VS01

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/849.asp

The Spaceport’s launch infrastructure is being put through its paces in final preparation for this Friday’s rollout of the no. 1 Soyuz that will perform the Russian-built vehicle’s historic first flight from French Guiana on October 20.
 
Activities carried out at the purpose-built launch site – which is located in the Spaceport’s northern sector – include functional testing of the transporter/erector rail car, and movement of the service gantry from its operational position on the launch pad.

The transporter/erector rail car is used to horizontally transfer the three-stage Soyuz from its MIK integration building at the Spaceport to the launch pad, where the vehicle is raised into position for mating of the “upper composite,” consisting of the payload, Fregat upper stage and payload fairing.

For Soyuz operations at the Spaceport, initial processing retains the same horizontal preparation and transfer process as used for decades from the Baikonur and Plesetsk Cosmodromes.  Once the Soyuz has been rolled out and erected in the vertical position on its massive concrete launch pad, the vehicle is suspended by support arms and triangular-shaped guides, which hold the launcher in place and ensures its stability until liftoff.

A major difference at the Spaceport is the payload installation while Soyuz is in the vertical position – which is typical for Western launch operations.  This activity is performed inside the protective 52-meter-tall mobile gantry, which then is rolled back to the parked position at a safe distance for liftoff.

Soyuz’ maiden flight on October 20 will orbit a pair of Galileo navigation satellites in a constellation being developed under management of the European Space Agency.

[patchfree]

The launch is planned at 10:34:28.3 UTC on October 20th.

At what this time launch is corresponding in Moscow time?

Usually there is a 4 h difference between UTC and Moscow time but Arianespace (launch kit and website) indicates 15h34 Moscow time...

[jacqmans]

Doubling up on Soyuz for Arianespace's Spaceport introduction of the medium-lift launcher

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/850.asp

October 12, 2011 – Soyuz Flights VS01 & VS02

Space launch history is being made at a dual pace in French Guiana as the first two Soyuz missions are readied for Arianespace’s introduction of this medium-lift workhorse vehicle from its new operations base at the Spaceport.

In parallel to the final preparations for Soyuz’ milestone maiden flight on October 20 with a payload of two Galileo navigation satellites, the second launch campaign has now begun for a December mission with six spacecraft that will perform governmental and civilian Earth observation duties, as well as military electronic intelligence-gathering.

The no. 1 Soyuz will move to the launch pad on Friday, October 14, where this basic three-stage vehicle is to be fitted with its upper composite consisting of the Fregat upper stage, the two Galileo satellites and their two-piece protective payload fairing.

To prepare for its upcoming rollout from the Spaceport’s MIK launcher integration building, the basic three-stage Soyuz has been installed on a transporter/erector rail car that performs the horizontal transfer to the Spaceport’s purpose-built massive concrete launch pad.  Once in place, the rail car’s main support beam will raise Soyuz to the vertical position, allowing the launcher to receive its upper composite during integration operations performed inside a tailor-made 52-meter-tall mobile gantry.

This payload integration procedure is a key difference in the Spaceport's launch processing compared to the long-operating Soyuz facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.  It allows payloads to be installed on Soyuz vehicles in the vertical position – as is traditionally performed with Western launch systems – and is a change from the horizontal integration traditionally performed at the Baikonur and Plesetsk Cosmodromes.

The October 20 inaugural Soyuz mission from French Guiana – designated VS01 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering sequence – is set for liftoff at 7:34 a.m. local time in French Guiana (10h34 UTC).  This 3-hr. 49-min. flight will deploy the two Galileo satellites into a circular medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 23,222 km., inclined 54.7 degrees.

A payload dispenser developed for Arianespace carries the two Galileo satellites in a side-by-side arrangement for the VS01 flight, and will use a pyrotechnic separation system to release them in opposite directions. 

These satellites are the first of four In-Orbit Validation (IOV) spacecraft to form the operational nucleus of the full 30-satellite Galileo navigation constellation.  Developed in a collaboration of the European Space Agency and European Union, Galileo is Europe’s program for a global navigation satellite system that provides highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning services.  It will be interoperable with the U.S. Global Positioning System and Russia’s Glonass network. 

Both IOV platforms to be launched on October 20 were produced by EADS Astrium, and have a launch mass of approximately 700 kg. each.  The second pair of Galileo IOV spacecraft is to be orbited by Soyuz in 2012.

With preparations for the VS01 flight reaching their peak, activity for the VS02 launch has begun with initial checkout of this mission’s Fregat upper stage in the Spaceport’s MIK launcher integration building.  For its mid-December liftoff, the VS02 Soyuz will carry the French CNES space agency’s Pleiades optical Earth observation satellite, accompanied by five supplemental payloads: four French Elisa micro-satellites for a demonstration of defense-related electronic intelligence gathering (ELINT) from orbit; and the Chilean SSOT (Sistema satelital de Observación de la Tierra) optical satellite for civilian and defense Earth observation.

The VS02 mission will mark the first use of Arianespace’s ASAP-S structure, which facilitates the integration of auxiliary payloads on Soyuz launchers.  For its maiden application, ASAP-S will carry Pleiades in the centerline position atop the platform.  SSOT will be installed below the Pleiades spacecraft, while the four Elisa satellites are to be accommodated on side-mounted platforms.

Soyuz is the newest member of Arianespace’s launcher family, providing a highly capable and proven medium-lift vehicle to complement the company’s heavy-lift Ariane 5 in side-by-side operations at the Spaceport.  This family will be completed by the lightweight Vega, which will make its maiden flight from the Spaceport in 2012.

[jacqmans]

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=18046

[jacqmans]

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=18035

[jacqmans]

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=18019

[anik]

At what this time launch is corresponding in Moscow time?

14:34:28.3 Moscow time.

[jacqmans]

Launch window for Soyuz Flight VS01
 
UTC: 10:34:28
October 20, 2011

Paris, France: 12:34:28 p.m.
October 20, 2011

Kourou, French Guiana: 07:34:28 a.m.
October 20, 2011

Washington, D.C. : 06:34:28 a.m.
October 20, 2011
 
Moscow, Russia: 03:34:28 p.m.
October 20, 2011
 

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2011/850.asp

[robertross]

http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=18046

Okay, what kind of a helmet is HE wearing? Image DSC_0217.jpeg