LAUNCHED: Soyuz ST-A Flight VS04 - Pleiades 1B - now December 2, 2012 (02:02UTC)

[bolun]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-feature-story/2012/9-7-2012.asp

The subsequent Arianespace mission will use a Soyuz on this launcher’s fourth flight from the Spaceport, carrying France’s Pléiades 2 very high resolution optical observation satellite.  Planned for a late November liftoff and designated Flight VS04, early preparations for this mission include initial electrical testing of the Fregat upper stage, which is positioned on a rig inside the Spaceport’s Soyuz MIK Launcher Integration Building.  Flight VS04 is a follow-on to Arianespace’s December 2011 orbiting of Pléiades 1, which was flown on the VS02 Soyuz mission from French Guiana.

[bolun]

About Pleiades

http://smsc.cnes.fr/PLEIADES/

[jacqmans]

Four medium-lift Soyuz launchers are now at the Spaceport

October 11, 2012
 

The Spaceport is operating at the rhythm of Soyuz as components for three upcoming missions with Arianespace’s medium-lift vehicle have now arrived in French Guiana, joining a completed launcher that is poised for liftoff tomorrow.
 
Delivered this month was hardware for the fourth, fifth and sixth Soyuz flights to be performed from the Spaceport – designated VS04, VS05 and VS06 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system.   This includes the third stage and payload fairing for Arianespace’s VS04 flight, scheduled in November.
 
The hardware arrived aboard the MN Colibri, which is one of two sea-going roll-on/roll-off ships utilized for the transport of launcher components from Europe and Russia to French Guiana.

As the countdown continues for VS03, preparations are moving into full swing for late November’s VS04 flight, to carry France’s Pléiades 2 very high resolution optical observation satellite.  Build-up of the basic three-stage Soyuz  for VS04 will be initiated next week in the Spaceport’s MIK assembly building, while this mission’s Fregat upper stage has completed its checkout in the MIK facility and is now ready for transfer to the S3B clean room for fueling during the coming week.
 
Arianespace has demonstrated Soyuz’ mission capabilities from the Spaceport in its two flights performed to date, beginning with the historic VS01 inaugural French Guiana launch in October 2011 that orbited the first two Galileo IOV satellites.  It was followed by VS02 in December 2011, lofting France’s Pléiades 1 platform along with the Chilean SSOT satellite and four French ELISA micro-satellite demonstrators.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-feature-story/2012/10-11-2012-4soyuz-launchers-at-spaceport.asp

[bolun]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/964.asp

Also at the Spaceport are launcher components for Arianespace’s three upcoming medium-lift Soyuz missions – beginning with a November 30 flight to orbit the French Pléiades 2 very high resolution optical observation satellite.

[anik]

According to SFN the launch is planned at 02:03 UTC on December 1st.

[Spiff]

That is consistent with the press release bolun posted if the press release is  Kourou time.

[jacqmans]

Pléiades 1B joins its launcher at the Spaceport for Arianespace's Soyuz mission in November


October 25, 2012 – Soyuz Flight VS04
 
Activities for Arianespace’s fourth medium-lift Soyuz flight from the Spaceport is fully underway as the Pléiades 1B payload has now arrived in French Guiana – joining the mission’s launcher, which is well advanced in its preparations.
 
The dual-use, very-high-resolution satellite was delivered this week by a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft to Félix Eboué Airport near the capital city of Cayenne, where it was unloaded for transfer by road to the Spaceport.

Pléiades 1B will be orbited on a late-night November 30 flight from the ELS launch complex at the Spaceport, where the basic three-stage Soyuz vehicle already has been built up inside the MIK assembly building.  Elsewhere at the Spaceport, the launcher’s Fregat upper stage is now undergoing its fueling process in the S3B processing building.
 
The November flight – designated VS04 in Arianespace’s mission numbering system – will mark the fourth Soyuz liftoff from French Guiana since this medium-lift vehicle’s service entry in October 2011.
 
Its Pléiades 1B payload is designed to provide optical observation coverage with 50-centimeter resolution for the French and Spanish defense ministries, civil institutions, and private users.  Operating from a 695-km. quasi-polar heliosynchronous orbit, it will accompany the twin Pléiades 1A spacecraft launched last December on Arianespace’s VS02 Soyuz mission from the Spaceport.
 
The Astrium division of EADS built both Pléiades satellites for the French CNES space agency, which is prime contractor and system architect.  They are based on smaller, cheaper, more agile platforms than their predecessors – the highly-successful Spot satellite series, which was launched on Ariane family launchers by Arianespace beginning in 1986.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/968.asp

[jacqmans]

Payload preparations begin for Arianespace's next Soyuz flight from French Guiana
 
October 26, 2012 – Soyuz Flight VS04
 
The Pléiades 1B payload for Arianespace’s fourth Soyuz mission from French Guiana is now undergoing its pre-launch checkout at the Spaceport, readying this Earth observation satellite for a late-night liftoff on November 30.

Built by Astrium for the French CNES space agency, Pléiades 1B is being put through its paces inside the Spaceport’s S1B payload preparation facility – where the dual-use, very-high-resolution satellite was transported following its arrival in French Guiana this week aboard a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft.

During the pre-launch preparations at the Spaceport, Pléiades 1B was removed from its shipping container in clean room conditions, and then raised to a vertical position for the startup of processing. 
 
Pléiades 1B is designed to provide optical observation coverage with 50-centimeter resolution for the French and Spanish defense ministries, civil institutions and private users. After being deployed by Soyuz, it will join the twin Pléiades 1A satellite – which was launched by an Arianespace Soyuz mission in December 2011 – for operation from a 695-km. quasi-polar heliosynchronous orbit.

This upcoming Arianespace flight is designated VS04 in the company’s mission numbering system, denoting the fourth Soyuz liftoff from French Guiana since the medium-lift vehicle’s October 2011 service entry. It also is the second Soyuz mission for launch from the Spaceport in 2012, following Arianespace’s October 12 success that orbited two European Galileo navigation satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/970.asp

[jacqmans]

Arianespace's fourth Spaceport mission with Soyuz: the Pléiades 1B satellite is readied for fueling

November 12, 2012 – Soyuz Flight VS04
 
The dual-use, very-high-resolution Pléiades 1B satellite payload for Arianespace's fourth Soyuz mission from French Guiana is ready for fueling, marking a new step in the preparation campaign for its nighttime launch on November 30.
 
Built by EADS' Astrium division for the French CNES space agency, Pléiades 1B has completed initial checkout in the Spaceport's S1B clean room facility, and has now been moved to the larger, multi-bay S5 payload processing center for the loading of its onboard propellant.

This satellite is designed to provide optical observation coverage with 50-centimeter resolution for the French and Spanish defense ministries, along with civil institutions and private users.  After the launch by Soyuz, Pléiades 1B will join the twin Pléiades 1A satellite, which was lofted by an Arianespace Soyuz mission in December 2011 for operation from a quasi-polar heliosynchronous orbit.
 
Offering exceptional agility to maximize acquisitions over specific areas of interest, the Pléiades satellites can be “rush programmed” to overfly designated target zones, with an automated production system generating 20 km. x 20 km. orthorectified images in 30 minutes.

The system’s capabilities were demonstrated by Pléiades 1A’s imaging of areas along the U.S. eastern seaboard affected by Hurricane Sandy, underscoring the delivery of high-detail data that is essential for emergency response. 

Arianespace’s upcoming Soyuz flight with Pléiades 1B is designated VS04 in the company’s mission numbering system for launcher family operations from the Spaceport.  It will continue the medium-lift vehicle’s mission pace, and follows the VS03 launch on October 12 with a pair of European Galileo navigation satellites; the VS02 flight on December 17, 2011, which carried Pléiades 1A, along with the Chilean SSOT civilian/defense imaging satellite and four French ELISA micro-satellites for defense electronic intelligence gathering: and the historic VS01 maiden liftoff of Soyuz from French Guiana on October 21, 2011 with two Galileo

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/979.asp

[Jester]

Uhhh, what's with the transport container ? (last two images)

Special requirements for the optics ??

[jacqmans]

Pléiades 1B’s transfer for fueling at the Spaceport is detailed in this photo series.  In the two images at left, the Astrium-built imaging satellite is positioned on a pallet inside the S1B clean room facility.  The air cushion pallet then passes through an airlock for placement in the large CCU3 spacecraft transportation container (third photo) for its move across the Spaceport to the S5 payload preparation center.

(photo 5) The CCU3 transportation container with Pléiades 1B is positioned outside the Spaceport’s S5 building, readying it for the satellite’s entry into one of this payload preparation center’s three processing bays for fueling.

[zaitcev]

The transport fixture looks large enough to accomodate ATV, and the satellite looks lonely in its cavern.

[Jester]

Pléiades 1B’s transfer for fueling at the Spaceport is detailed in this photo series.  In the two images at left, the Astrium-built imaging satellite is positioned on a pallet inside the S1B clean room facility.  The air cushion pallet then passes through an airlock for placement in the large CCU3 spacecraft transportation container (third photo) for its move across the Spaceport to the S5 payload preparation center.

(photo 5) The CCU3 transportation container with Pléiades 1B is positioned outside the Spaceport’s S5 building, readying it for the satellite’s entry into one of this payload preparation center’s three processing bays for fueling.

That I know, i've worked there ;-), the question is, why are they using CCU3 and not CCU2, special optic requirements ?

EDIT:
I checked, its because CCU2 is used by VA210

[jacqmans]

Payload integration to begin for Arianespace's Soyuz Spaceport mission with Pléiades 1B

November 16, 2012 – Soyuz Flight VS04

 The mission campaign for Arianespace’s fourth Soyuz flight from the Spaceport in French Guiana is entering a new phase as preparations begin for the integration of its Pléiades 1B satellite passenger on the launcher’s Fregat upper stage.
 
Pléiades 1B – a dual-use, very-high-resolution imaging satellite – has received its hydrazine propellant load in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation center, while the Fregat upper stage was fueled during separate operations performed several kilometers away in the S3B processing building.
 
All is now ready for the integration of Pléiades 1B atop the Fregat stage, followed by its encapsulation by the two-piece Soyuz payload fairing.  This will occur in the S3B facility, using a multi-level integration stand.
 
Pléiades 1B will be orbited on a November 30 nighttime flight from the Spaceport’s ELS launch complex, marking the fourth Soyuz liftoff from French Guiana since this medium-lift vehicle’s service entry in October 2011 – and the second performed this year.
 
The 1-metric-ton-class Pléiades 1B spacecraft is designed to provide optical observation coverage with 50-centimeter resolution for the French and Spanish defense ministries, civil institutions, and private users.  Operating from a 695-km. quasi-polar heliosynchronous orbit, it will accompany the twin Pléiades 1A spacecraft that was lofted by Arianespace last December on Soyuz’ second mission from the Spaceport.
 
The Astrium division of EADS built both Pléiades satellites for the French CNES space agency, which is prime contractor and system architect.  They are based on smaller, less expensive and more agile platforms than their predecessors – the highly-successful Spot satellite series, which was launched by Arianespace beginning in 1986 on Ariane family launchers.
 
Arianespace Soyuz missions from the Spaceport use the autonomous, highly flexible Fregat upper stage, which is an orbital vehicle that can be restarted up to 20 times in flight – enabling it to carry out a wide variety of complex mission profiles.  Built by the Lavochkin Research and Production Association in Russia, this upper stage incorporates an array of six welded spherical tanks – with four spheres serving as the propellant tanks, while the other two operate as sealed instrumentation bays containing the flight control system, along with radio and telemetry systems.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/981.asp

[Ben the Space Brit]

Is the Mylar foil-covered cupcake the Fregat?

[Jester]

Is the Mylar foil-covered cupcake the Fregat?

Correct.

[Danderman]

Is the Mylar foil-covered cupcake the Fregat?

Fregat-M, I believe.

[Nicolas PILLET]

No, this is a standard Fregat.

[Stan Black]

No, this is a standard Fregat.

Though one featuring the third(?) generation of upgrades…

[jacqmans]

Pléiades 1B is ready for integration in the payload “stack” for Arianespace's next Soyuz mission


November 21, 2012 – Soyuz Flight VS04

 The Pléiades 1B satellite passenger for Arianespace’s fourth Soyuz flight from French Guiana is ready for integration into the medium-lift launcher’s payload “stack” at the Spaceport.
 
This dual-use, very-high-resolution imaging satellite has been transferred from the S5 payload preparation center – where it was fueled with hydrazine – to the Spaceport’s S3B processing building for the integration process.
 
The S3B facility has been configured for preparation of the payload stack on Soyuz launchers operated from the Spaceport, with this component consisting of the mission’s spacecraft payload, the Fregat upper stage, and an ST-type fairing that provides protection during initial ascent through the atmosphere.
 
Fueling of the Fregat upper stage for Arianespace’s upcoming Soyuz flight was completed in the S3B building earlier this month, and this highly flexible orbital system has now been installed in an integration stand – ready to receive Pléiades 1B, followed by the payload fairing encapsulation.
 
Pléiades 1B will be lofted by Soyuz on a November 30 nighttime flight, marking the fourth Soyuz liftoff from French Guiana since this medium-lift vehicle’s service entry at the Spaceport in October 2011 – and the second performed by Arianespace this year.  The upcoming mission is designated VS04 in the company’s numbering system for its launcher family operating from the Spaceport, consisting of the medium-lift Soyuz, heavy-lift Ariane 5, and light-lift Vega.
 
With a fueled mass of approximately 1 metric ton, Pléiades 1B is to provide optical observation coverage for the French and Spanish defense ministries, civil institutions and private users.  It will operate from a 695-km. heliosynchronous orbit, joining the twin Pléiades 1A spacecraft that was launched by Arianespace last December on Soyuz’ second mission from the Spaceport.
 
France’s CNES space agency is the Pléiades prime contractor and system architect, which selected the Astrium division of EADS to build the satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/983.asp