LIVE: Soyuz-2-1A/Fregat - Globalstar-2 (x6) - February 6, 2013 (1604Z)

[Satori]

Two Globalstar satellites arrived at the Baykonur Cosmodrome on October 17: http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=19616 (in Russian).

Launch is schedule for February 5, 2013 using 14A14 Soyuz-2-1A/Fregat (011/1029).

[jacqmans]

Arianespace and Globalstar: The wrap-up Soyuz launch with second-generation satellites is set for February
 
November 1, 2012 – Soyuz Flight ST26
 
Preparations are underway for a medium-lift Soyuz launch to deploy the six final spacecraft in Globalstar’s second-generation constellation, with the mission scheduled to lift off from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome next February.

This is the last of four flights contracted to Arianespace for the orbiting of Globalstar’s second-generation constellation, completing a series of launches that started in October 2010, and continuing in July and December 2011.  All of these missions are performed at Baikonur Cosmodrome by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate.
 
Globalstar reports that with the 18 satellites orbited to date by Arianespace/Starsem launches, its current subscribers and new users are experiencing significantly improved performance and reliability with high voice quality, fast mobile satellite handset data speeds and affordable service.

Built by Thales Alenia Space, the Globalstar second-generation platforms are trapezoidal in shape to facilitate their integration on a purpose-built dispenser that fits under the Soyuz payload fairing.
 
The launch vehicles operated from Baikonur Cosmodrome use the same basic modernized Soyuz version that Arianespace introduced at the Spaceport in French Guiana during 2011, and are equipped with the ST-type fairing that has an external diameter of 4.1 meters and a length of 11.4 meters.
 
Next February’s Soyuz launch is designated ST26 in Arianespace’s numbering sequence to signify the 26th flight performed by its Starsem affiliate since beginning operations with a launch in 1999 that lofted four first-generation Globalstar satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/972.asp

[Stan Black]

Two Globalstar satellites arrived at the Baykonur Cosmodrome on October 17: http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=19616 (in Russian).

Launch is schedule for February 5, 2013 using 14A14 Soyuz-2-1A/Fregat (011/1029).

It looked like they were to use rocket 010 (a block of four rockets for Globalstar 007, 008, 009 and 010).

So why the change? And what was 011 ordered to launch, perhaps Foton? As no gap in fairing numbers so not a spare rocket for Globalstar?

[Satori]

Two Globalstar satellites have arrived to Baykonur today: http://www.tsenki.com/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=96541 (in Russian).

[Danderman]

I believe that it is actually a Fregat-M upper stage, per the other threads.

[Nicolas PILLET]

According to NK forum, all Fregat upper stages since october 2010 are Fregat-M.
Exceptions are :

- Upper stage for Kanopus-V, which has been stored for a long time,
- Upper stages for Soyuz-ST-A, which are standard Fregat,
- Upper stages for Soyuz-ST-B/GALILEO, which are Fregat-MT,
- Upper stages for Zenit-2SB, which are Fregat-SB.

[Satori]

Two Globalstar-2 satellites were delivered to Baykonur on December 8: http://www.tsenki.com/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=96994

[jacqmans]

Six satellites for Globalstar’s close-out Soyuz mission are ready for launch by the Starsem affiliate of Arianespace
 
December 12, 2012 – Soyuz Flight ST26
 
The remaining two Globalstar satellites for next February’s Arianespace/Starsem Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome are now at the Kazakhstan launch site, joining four other spacecraft for checkout and the subsequent integration on their medium-lift vehicle.
 
Arriving this month aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner at the Cosmodrome’s Yubileiny Airport, these platforms – designated Globalstar FM #21 and FM #25 – were transported across the facility to Starsem’s Payload Processing Facility (PPF), where they entered the final preparation workflow.
 
February’s launch will be the last of four flights contracted to Arianespace for orbiting of Globalstar’s second-generation constellation – with its previous flights performed in October 2010, July 2011 and December 2011.  All of the missions are conducted by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate, carrying six satellites each.
 
The second-generation Globalstar platforms are trapezoidal in shape to facilitate their integration on a purpose-built dispenser that fits under the Soyuz payload fairing.  The spacecraft were built by Thales Alenia Space.
 
After reaching orbit next February, the final six satellites will restore full service to Globalstar’s customers, positioning the company as the first mobile satellite service provider deploying a second-generation constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites.  Globalstar provides mobile satellite, voice and data services, with products that include mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages.
 
The Starsem launch vehicles operated from Baikonur Cosmodrome for these constellation missions are the same basic modernized Soyuz version used by Arianespace at the Spaceport in French Guiana.
 
February’s Soyuz launch will be the 26th performed by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate since it begin operations at Baikonur Cosmodrome in 1999.  That historic introductory commercial Soyuz flight also was at the service of Globalstar – lofting four of its first-generation constellation satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2012/994.asp

[bolun]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-feature-story/2013/1-8-2013-press-conference.asp

Arianespace’s 2013 launch activity begins next month with a Starsem Soyuz mission at Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying six Globalstar second-generation constellation satellites on February 4. 

[jacqmans]

Globalstar’s final batch of second-generation satellites are integrated for their Starsem mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome

January 15, 2013 – Soyuz Flight ST26
 
Six Globalstar satellites have been integrated on their dispenser for orbiting on the next Soyuz flight operated by Starsem, which is Arianespace’s Euro-Russian affiliate responsible for commercial missions with this medium-lift launcher at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
 
During activity today in Starsem’s clean room facilities at the Cosmodrome, the satellite dispenser system’s upper mast section was mated with the lower mast portion, creating a 6.7-meter-tall unit that contains the complete payload “cluster.”
 
Two of the 700-kg.-class Globalstar spacecraft are installed on the mast’s upper portion and will be deployed first during the February 4 flight, while the remaining four satellites are positioned on the lower section for their subsequent release in the mission sequence.
 
These satellites – supplied by Thales Alenia Space – are trapezoidal in shape, allowing them to be installed around the conical payload dispenser. 
 
They represent the final batch in Globalstar’s second-generation constellation, which provides products including relay capacity for mobile and fixed satellite telephones, simplex and duplex satellite data modems and flexible service packages.

The upcoming Starsem mission is the final of four flights currently contracted to Arianespace for orbiting the second-generation Globalstar constellation – wrapping up a series of launches that started in October 2010, and continued in July and December 2011. 

It will be the 26th performed by Starsem since beginning operations at Baikonur Cosmodrome in 1999 on a historic introductory commercial Soyuz flight also at the service of Globalstar – carrying four of its first-generation constellation satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1003.asp

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Interesting to see that Arianespace is showing the launch scheduled one day earlier, on February 4. I think the launch time is 16:36 UTC.

[Satori]

Fregat fueling is completed and today started the preparations of PU-6 for the launch. In Russian: http://www.roscosmos.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=19828

[anik]

Interesting to see that Arianespace is showing the launch scheduled one day earlier, on February 4. I think the launch time is 16:36 UTC

The launch will be on February 5th, and Arianespace will correct the date soon.

[Satori]

Fregat is prepared to receive the satellites. From TsENKI (in Russian): http://www.tsenki.com/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=97436

[jacqmans]

Payload elements come together in Starsem’s wrap-up Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome for Globalstar
 

January 21, 2013 – Soyuz Flight ST26
 

The Soyuz launch campaign for Globalstar’s final batch of second-generation satellites has entered a new phase at Baikonur Cosmodrome, with the “stack” of six spacecraft now positioned in the facility for its mating with the launcher’s upper stage and encapsulation in the payload fairing.

This activity is taking place inside the Upper Composite Integration Facility (UCIF), which is one of three on-site clean rooms operated by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate responsible for commercial Soyuz operations from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
 
The campaign is now ready for installation of the satellite stack atop Soyuz’ Fregat upper stage in the UCIF.  Once the payload stack/Fregat stage mating is completed, it will be rotated to the horizontal position, followed by payload fairing encapsulation.

The completed unit will then be transferred to the Cosmodrome’s launch vehicle assembly and integration facility (known by its “MIK 40” Russian designation) for mating with the Soyuz.
 
Starsem’s upcoming mission is set for February 4, and is the final of four launches currently contracted via Arianespace for orbiting Globalstar’s second-generation constellation.  It will be the 26th flight conducted under Starsem’s responsibility since 1999, when the affiliate’s historic commercial Soyuz maiden flight carried four of Globalstar’s first-generation constellation satellites.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1005.asp

[Danderman]

According to this message:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=15064.msg980013#msg980013

it's a Fregat-M.

[Artyom.]

[jacqmans]

[Artyom.]

More photos
http://www.tsenki.com/news/news_tsenki/?ELEMENT_ID=97455

[jacqmans]

Six Globalstar satellites get their “kick” for next month’s Arianespace/Starsem Soyuz launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome


January 25, 2013 – Soyuz Flight ST26

Globalstar’s cluster of second-generation satellites to be orbited by Soyuz from Baikonur Cosmodrome has been installed atop the Fregat upper stage, marking another milestone in a wrap-up flight for Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate.

The six spacecraft and their conical-shaped dispenser were positioned vertically on the Fregat stage this week in the Upper Composite Integration Facility (UCIF), which is operated by Starsem at the Kazakhstan launch site.
 
With the mating now achieved, the spacecraft/Fregat combination is ready for rotation to a horizontal orientation, allowing its encapsulation in the payload fairing.  The completed unit will then be transferred to Baikonur Cosmodrome’s MK 112 launch vehicle assembly and integration facility for mating with the basic three-stage Soyuz.
 
Fregat is produced by Russia’s Lavochkin Research and Production Association, and is an autonomous and highly flexible orbital vehicle that can be restarted up to 20 times in flight, enabling complex mission profiles to be performed.  It is composed of six welded spherical tanks: 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.
 
The upcoming mission is now set for liftoff on February 5 at 10:20 p.m. local time in Kazakhstan, and will complete a series of four launches contracted via Arianespace for Globalstar’s second-generation constellation – all conducted under the coordination of Starsem.  It will be the 26th flight carried out by Starsem since the affiliate’s history-making inaugural Soyuz commercial flight in 1999 that lofted four of Globalstar’s first-generation constellation satellites.
 
Soyuz launchers are produced in Russia by the Samara Space Center "TsSKB-Progress."  The medium-lift vehicle is used in both Starsem missions from Baikonur Cosmodrome and Arianespace’s operations with this workhorse launcher from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1008.asp