Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat - OneWeb F4 (x36) - Vostochny - December 18, 2020 (12:26 UTC)

[Steven Pietrobon]

Very nice animation, but they took away the clock!

[Rondaz]

The Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle was launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome

Today, December 18, 2020, at 15:26:26 Moscow time, the launching calculations of the subsidiaries of the State Corporation Roscosmos from the Vostochny cosmodrome launched the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with the Fregat upper stage and 36 new OneWeb spacecraft on board. According to telemetry data, the start and separation of the upper stage from the third stage of the carrier took place in the normal mode.

After the successful separation of the warhead, the Fregat upper stage continued to launch the vehicles into the assigned orbit. Over the next 3 hours and 40 minutes, OneWeb satellites will sequentially separate (in groups of four satellites) from the upper stage in accordance with the flight sequence.

The Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle was created at the Progress Rocket and Space Center (Samara, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) and is a modification of Soyuz-2. In comparison with variant "1a" it has an engine with increased energy characteristics at the 3rd stage. The Soyuz-2.1b has higher launch accuracy, stability and controllability than the previous version, and an increased payload mass.

https://www.roscosmos.ru/29698/

[B. Hendrickx]

The Roscosmos webcast was a complete shambles. It was terminated several minutes before launch due to technical issues.

[jacqmans]

December 18, 2020

Flight ST29: Soyuz lifts off from Vostochny Cosmodrome with its payload of 36 OneWeb satellites

Soyuz has lifted off from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, carrying the next 36 satellites to join OneWeb’s constellation – which will be deployed during a sequence lasting just under 3 hours, 52 minutes from liftoff to separation of all spacecraft passengers.

Payload lift performance for today’s mission – which is designated Flight ST29 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – is estimated at 5,810 kg.

The Soyuz 2-1b launcher version utilized for Flight ST29 is the result of a joint European/Russian upgrade program, adding a more powerful third stage engine that significantly increases the launcher’s overall performance. As a member of the modernized Soyuz-2 series, it features a digital control system that provides additional mission flexibility and also enables control of the launch vehicle fitted with the enlarged 4.1-meter-diameter ST payload fairing.

This mission’s Soyuz is equipped with a re-ignitable Fregat upper stage, which is routinely used on Arianespace missions to extend the launcher’s capability. For today’s flight, the Fregat stage will perform multiple reignitions/propulsion burns while delivering the OneWeb satellites into a near polar orbit at an altitude of 450 kilometers. After completion, the upper stage is to make a final burn for deorbiting.

Flight ST29 is Arianespace’s fourth mission at the service of OneWeb – following two missions earlier this year and one in 2019, which deployed a total of 74 satellites. OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture founded by OneWeb and Airbus Defence and Space, is prime contractor for the constellation.

https://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/st29-soyuz-liftoff/

[Rondaz]

Eight @OneWeb satellites have been released with the first two payload separations from Soyuz. #ST29 #OneWebLaunch

https://twitter.com/Arianespace/status/1339933757017612291

[zubenelgenubi]

The launch and deployment animation in the Arianespace video just showed the 9th and final satellite deployment (9 batches of 4 each).  And the video has ended.

[SMS]

What's OneWeb mission №42?

[Rondaz]

#Soyuz soared to success on Flight #ST29, delivering 36 @OneWeb satellites to orbit during a three-hour-plus sequence. With today’s Arianespace/Starsem launch, we once again support this global operator’s goal of bringing internet everywhere, to everyone.

https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1339981541288636421

[Rondaz]

OneWeb satellites have been successfully launched into target orbit

Today, December 18, 2020, at 15:26 Moscow time , the sixth launch from the Vostochny cosmodrome took place . The Soyuz launch complex successfully launched the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with the Fregat upper stage and 36 spacecraft of the OneWeb satellite communication system. After 561.2 seconds, the warhead in normal mode separated from the third stage of the carrier.

The sequential separation of nine groups of spacecraft from the upper stage took place normally in accordance with the flight cyclogram. In total, during the mission, within almost 4 hours after the launch, eleven active sites were provided: three activations of the sustainer propulsion system (the latter for the purpose of delivering the upper stage to the "withdrawal" orbit) and eight activations of the propulsion system of the POPs, necessary for safe separation and divergence OneWeb devices. All 36 satellites have been successfully launched into target orbits. This launch was the fourth in the OneWeb launch campaign.

Russian launch vehicles - Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle (manufacturer - Progress Rocket and Space Center, Samara) and Fregat upper stage (manufacturer - Lavochkin Research and Production Association, are part of perimeter of the State Corporation "Roscosmos") - worked as usual. The launch of a new batch of OneWeb satellites was carried out under a contract between Glavkosmos (part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) with the French company Arianespace in close cooperation with other Roscosmos enterprises - Progress RCC, NPO Lavochkina and the Center for Operation of Ground Space Infrastructure Facilities.

Upper stage "Fregat" (developed and manufactured by NPO Lavochkin) ensures the effective implementation of all tasks related to launching one or more spacecraft into working orbits or trajectories departing from the Earth. The entire launching process is carried out autonomously, without interference from the Earth. The highest reliability and almost perfect launching accuracy give the upper stage an undeniable competitive advantage over world analogues.

LEO OneWeb spacecraft are designed to provide terrestrial consumers with high-speed Internet directly via satellite communications. After today's launch, the OneWeb satellite constellation in low Earth orbit numbers 110 spacecraft, with the company planning to launch hundreds of others.

The first six OneWeb satellites were launched on February 28, 2019 from the Guiana Space Center using the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle and the Fregat upper stage. Another 34 satellites were launched into orbit on February 7 and March 22, 2020 from the Baikonur cosmodrome using Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicles and Fregat upper stages.

“The foreign partners of Glavkosmos have confirmed that our company has fulfilled its contractual obligations, all vehicles have been launched into target orbits,” noted Dmitry Loskutov, General Director of Glavkosmos . He recalled that today's launch of OneWeb satellites was the first fully commercial launch in the history of the Vostochny cosmodrome. “We are satisfied with the launch and look forward to further successful development of the commercial segment of launches from Vostochny,” said Loskutov.

https://www.roscosmos.ru/29699/

[Mammutti]

https://twitter.com/OneWebSatellit1/status/1340029072525672453

Signal acquisition is achieved! Congratulations to all the teams and partners who made this launch a success! 👏 #OneWebLaunch

[SMS]

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1340014160940187648

https://twitter.com/TSKelso/status/1340014903105482753

[Rik ISS-fan]

Sorry this is a bit off topic.

What's OneWeb mission №42?

It could mean several things. The 42th oneweb satellite, or afaik more likely;
it refers to ST42, the 42th Soyuz launch from a Russian cosmodrome sold via Starsem/Arianespace.
OneWeb has 15 launches scheduled, 13 of these; ST30 - ST42 are manifested to launch from Baikonour or Vostochny in 2021 or 2022. Look at the Russian launch schedule.
For the other two OneWeb launches, the manifest is less sure, most likely because they launch from CSG.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Congratulations to Arianespace, Starsem, Glavcosmos, Roscosmos and Oneweb for the successful launch!

My internet went down after the launch, so I couldn't cover the separations, plus it was midnight here and I needed the sleep! Here are the events we missed last night

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch video and photos.

https://www.roscosmos.ru/29698/

[jacqmans]

December 18, 2020

Arianespace/Starsem delivers! Their debut mission from Vostochny Cosmodrome orbits 36 OneWeb satellites

With another successful Soyuz launch performed at the service of UK-based OneWeb, Arianespace has once again underscored its position as a key player in the growth market of satellite constellations.

The 36 OneWeb spacecraft – produced by the OneWeb Satellites joint venture of OneWeb and Airbus Defence and Space – were deployed into a circular low Earth orbit during a flight lasting nearly 3 hours and 52 minutes from liftoff to final payload separation. They will join the 74 in-orbit satellites launched on three previous Soyuz missions performed in 2019-2020, bringing the total number to 110.

Conducted from Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East, today’s launch was a joint mission of Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate. This marked the 29th Arianespace/Starsem flight overall since the initial “ST” mission in September 1999, and is the first performed at a site other than Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Soaring to success with Soyuz

After an initial powered phase of Soyuz’ three lower stages, the mission – designated Flight ST29 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – included multiple powered phases of the re-ignitable Fregat upper stage to place its passengers at their targeted deployment points.

The Soyuz 2-1b launcher version utilized for Flight ST29 is the result of a joint European/Russian upgrade program, adding a more powerful third stage engine that significantly increases the medium-lift workhorse launcher’s overall performance. As a member of the modernized Soyuz-2 series, it features a digital control system that provides additional mission flexibility and also enables control of the launch vehicle fitted with the enlarged 4.1-meter-diameter ST payload fairing.

Flight ST29 utilized a payload dispenser system developed and produced by prime contractor RUAG Space AB of Linköping, Sweden.

Connecting the unconnected

OneWeb’s goal is to deliver global connectivity from a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will provide high-bandwidth, low-latency communication services to regions previously unconnected.

In addition to the satellites, OneWeb’s global network will include gateway stations located around the world, and a range of user terminals will provide connectivity services for fixed and mobile communications. These terminals will be compatible with the future needs of the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G.

Today’s mission success marked Arianespace’s fourth launch at the service of OneWeb. The first – performed with a Soyuz in February 2019 from the Spaceport in French Guiana – successfully orbited its initial six spacecraft. This was followed by Arianespace/Soyuz missions in February and March 2020, delivering 34 more satellites each from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

https://www.arianespace.com/mission-update/st29-soyuz-oneweb-success/

[jacqmans]

December 18, 2020

Flight ST29: Successful OneWeb constellation’s satellites deployment with Arianespace’s first mission from the Vostochny Cosmodrome

OneWeb’s fourth launch overall -the third for 2020- is the first to be conducted with Soyuz by Arianespace from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia.

By successfully placing 36 new OneWeb constellation satellites into orbit, Arianespace resumed the deployment of this client’s satellite network, which now is composed of 110 satellites in low Earth orbit.

Today’s launch, Flight ST29, was the 53rd Soyuz mission carried out by Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate, marking a milestone as their first from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia. Performed on Friday, December 18 at precisely 9:26:26 p.m. local time (12:26:26p.m. UTC), Flight ST29 orbited 36 new OneWeb satellites – bringing the size of the fleet in orbit to 110.

“Congratulations to all teams who made this first commercial mission from the Vostochny cosmodrome a success. This launch confirms Arianespace’s ability to deploy the OneWeb constellation through the use of three different Soyuz launch sites – in French Guiana, Kazakhstan and Russia. I sincerely want to thank OneWeb for their trust. I am delighted that Arianespace and Starsem have contributed – for the fourth time – to this client’s ultimate ambition of providing Internet access to everyone, anywhere, at any time,” said Stéphane Israël, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace.

Arianespace has launched 110 OneWeb satellites to date. The initial six were successfully orbited by Soyuz Flight VS21 from French Guiana during February, 2019. In February and March 2020 Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate successfully launched 68 OneWeb satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Soyuz Flights ST27 and ST28.

Pursuant to an amended launch contract with OneWeb, Arianespace and Starsem will perform 15 more Soyuz launches through 2021 and 2022. These launches will enable OneWeb to complete the deployment of its full global constellation of low Earth orbit satellites by the end of 2022.

OneWeb’s mission is to bring internet everywhere to everyone, by creating a global connectivity platform through a next-generation satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. The OneWeb constellation will deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to a wide range of customer sectors, including aviation, maritime, backhaul services, and for governments, emergency response services and more. Central to its purpose, OneWeb seeks to bring connectivity to every place where fiber cannot reach, and thereby bridge the digital divide.

The satellite prime contractor is OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture between OneWeb and Airbus Defence and Space. The satellites were produced in Florida, USA in its leading-edge satellite manufacturing facilities that can build up to two satellites per day on a series production line dedicated to spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing.

https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/flight-st29-successful-oneweb-constellations-satellites-deployment-with-arianespaces-first-mission-from-the-vostochny-cosmodrome/

[GWR64]

Why can 36 satellites be launched with the Soyuz in Vostochniy?
While only 34 are possible from Baikonur or Kourou.
Is the performance of the Soyuz 2.1b 372RN17 better than that of the versions for Kourou (372RN21B) or for Baikonur (14A14-1B)?
Vostoschny is the northernmost of the 3 places.
Or do the fall zones just fit better and the trajectory can be optimized?

[GWR64]

Fall area for the 2nd soyuz stage, note the thermometer

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1340273426506911746

[Mammutti]

First stage back on the ground.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1340374002322333698

[Mammutti]

Two of the four booster have also been found.

https://www.roscosmos.ru/29718/ (more photos inside)

Translation:

Specialists from the Landfall Area Division of the Center for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities Operation (TsENKI, part of Roskosmos State Corporation) discovered two spent blocks of the first stage of the launch vehicle in the Zeya area as part of the Soyuz-2.1b/OneWeb launch campaign. All fragments were found within the boundary of the designated impact area.

The fallen second stage of the launch vehicle was also found in the Kobyaisky Ulus of the Republic of Sakha. In all areas, search operations are carried out by Mi-8 helicopters. Snow sampling is being carried out in the areas where fragments were found and at the monitoring points. At the same time, gamma-radiation measurements have been taken. According to the results of express tests no anomalous deviations were recorded. Upon completion of the search work, all found fragments will be removed from the impact areas and delivered to the Vostochny cosmodrome. Due to the remoteness of the impact areas and the large volume of work, transportation of the fragments to the cosmodrome will be carried out as early as 2021.

The search and evacuation work for the fragments of the launch vehicle's fully functional stages was carried out by search teams from TsENKI immediately after the launch. To search for fragments of separating parts of the launch vehicle during launches from Vostochny, the latest prototype complex of technical means of operation of the drop areas is used. The upgraded complex includes two radar stations in the centimeter and decimeter wave ranges, a complex of unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous field camps, as well as satellite communication and data transmission facilities, which allow the search for carrier rocket detachments to be greatly accelerated and improved.ch. To search for fragments of separating parts of the launch vehicle during launches from Vostochny, the latest prototype complex of technical means of operation of the drop areas is used. The upgraded complex includes two radar stations in the centimeter and decimeter wave ranges, a complex of unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous field camps, as well as satellite communication and data transmission facilities, which allow the search for carrier rocket detachments to be greatly accelerated and improved.