Author Topic: LIVE: Soyuz-2-1A/Fregat - Globalstar-2 (x6) - February 6, 2013 (1604Z) (Read 41023 times)

R7 · « **Reply #101 on:** 02/06/2013 03:18 pm »

No nasty residuals from solids/hypergolics, safe to approach pad quickly.

Good job so far!

Artyom. · « **Reply #102 on:** 02/06/2013 03:22 pm »

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #103 on:** 02/06/2013 04:01 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/06/2013 03:16 pm

Arianespace end coverage. Updates on their website from now on (so someone copy across here

Good job from the latest permutation of the old R-7. Just goes to show that classics don't have to be retired just because they're old!

Artyom. · « **Reply #104 on:** 02/06/2013 04:51 pm »

Mission success

! My congratulations!!!

http://www.interfax.ru/russia/news.asp?id=289143 (on Russian)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #105 on:** 02/06/2013 04:59 pm »

Very good!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/02/soyuz-2-1a-complete-second-gen-globalstar-constellation/

Galactic Penguin SST · « **Reply #106 on:** 02/06/2013 05:13 pm »

Arianespace/Starsem completes the deployment of Globalstar’s constellation with a Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome

February 6, 2013 – Soyuz Flight ST26

Today’s successful orbiting of six spacecraft on a Starsem Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome marks the wrap-up of launch services currently contracted with Arianespace by Globalstar for the deployment of its second-generation constellation.

This was the fourth and final such Soyuz launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome performed on behalf of Arianespace by its Starsem affiliate, following similar missions in October 2010, July 2011 and December 2011 to fulfill Globalstar’s plan of orbiting 24 second-generation satellites. Additionally, it builds on an earlier series of eight Soyuz flights conducted by Starsem from 1999 to 2007, which deployed 32 of Globalstar’s first-generation spacecraft.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, the Chairman & CEO of Arianespace and Starsem, noted that the initial Soyuz mission for Globalstar occurred almost exactly 14 years ago – on February 9, 1999 – making this provider of mobile satellite voice and data services the first-ever customer for Starsem’s commercial launch services with the Russian-built vehicle.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Globalstar for its constant confidence and support,” Le Gall said. “Globalstar and Starsem have definitely formed close ties together on the path to success.”

He also thanked the program partners, including Astrium; Russia’s Roscosmos, TsSKB-Progress, NPO-Lavotchkin and KBOM; along with the teams at Starsem and Arianespace for today’s close-out success. “Once again, we have demonstrated that Soyuz and its Fregat upper stage represent an extremely reliable launch system and the workhorse for satellite constellation deployments! Bravo!”

Globalstar’s second-generation spacecraft deployed by Soyuz weighed approximately 700 kg. each, and are three-axis-stabilized satellites built by Thales Alenia Space. They are fitted with 16 transponders operating from C-band to S-band, along with 16 receivers from L-band to C-band. Their 15-year design life is twice that of Globalstar’s predecessor first-generation spacecraft, which weighed some 450 kg. each.

The modernized Soyuz utilized by Starsem to loft Globalstar’s second-generation payloads is the same basic vehicle as employed by Arianespace in operations with the medium-lift launcher from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Today’s mission was the 26th Starsem launch since its February 1999 maiden liftoff. In addition to deploying the Globalstar constellations, Starsem flights have lofted the Metop-A and Metop-B meteorological spacecraft, the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B experimental navigation satellites, the Radarsat-2 radar-based Earth observation platform, the Corot and Cluster II scientific spacecraft, the Mars Express and Venus Express interplanetary probes, the Amos 2 and Galaxy 14 telecommunications satellites, and the IRDT (Inflatable Reentry and Descent Technology) demonstrator.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2013/1017.asp

jacqmans · « **Reply #107 on:** 02/06/2013 05:30 pm »

Mission accomplished! Arianespace and Starsem orbit six new Globalstar-2 satellites

Baikonur, February 6, 2013

On Wednesday 6 February, Arianespace and Starsem orbited six new satellites of the Globalstar-2 constellation.

The 1,799th launch of a Soyuz family rocket (Soyuz-Fregat version) took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launcher lifted off at 16:04 Universal Time on Wednesday 6 February 2013 (10:04 pm local time, 5:04 pm in Paris and 8:04 am in San Francisco).

Arianespace, Starsem and their Russian partners confirmed that the Fregat orbital stage accurately injected the six Globalstar-2 satellites into their targeted orbit. Two successive firings of the Fregat stage were needed to carry out this mission. After stabilization of the stage, the dispenser released 1 hour and 38 minutes after lift off the two satellites positioned in its upper section; 1 minute and 40 seconds later, the four satellites in the lower part of the dispenser were released simultaneously.

This latest success for the Soyuz launcher – and for the Fregat upper stage – clearly indicates the capabilities of the Samara Space Centre (TsSKB-Progress) and NPO Lavotchkine, as well as the skills of the operating teams working under the authority of Russian space agency Roscosmos.

Each Globalstar-2 satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space, weighs approximately 650 kg at launch. The constellation features an optimized design to provide telephone and data transmission services to businesses and individuals in more than 120 countries.

The first 18 satellites of the Globalstar-2 constellation were orbited successfully by Arianespace and Starsem in 2010 and 2011.

In 1999, Starsem had launched the 24 satellites in the Globalstar-1 constellation and in 2007 launched eight replacement satellites.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, the company offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 1st February 2013, 211 Ariane launches, 29 Soyuz launches (four at the Guiana Space Centre and 25 at Baikonur with Starsem) and the first launch of Vega have been performed. The company has a backlog of 19 Ariane 5, 12 Soyuz and three Vega launches, equaling three years of business.

About Starsem

Starsem is dedicated to providing international commercial marketing and operation of the Soyuz launch vehicle from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Shareholders in Starsem are Arianespace, Astrium, the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and the Samara Space Center (TsSKB-Progress).

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2013/2-6-2013-ST26-launch.asp

Prober · « **Reply #108 on:** 02/06/2013 05:46 pm »

confused by all the Soyuz models....was this the first 2-1A lauched from this location?

Is this model set as the replacement for the Progress flights?