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Launch services

Soyuz technical data

• Typical length: 46.2 m.
• Typical diameter: 10.3 m.
• Typical liftoff mass: 308 tons
• Payload capacity: 3,150 kg. to GTO; 4,900 kg. to SSO with a circular altitude of 820 km.
• Prime supplier: Russian Federal Space Agency

Soyuz > Launch operations

Soyuz launch operations in French Guiana will combine benefits of the Spaceport's modern infrastructure with decades of service experience from missions performed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia.

A typical mission campaign at the Spaceport culminates with four days of launch pad activities - beginning with the three-stage Soyuz vehicle's rollout from its Integration Building and erection on the pad.

As with operations at Baikonur and Plesetsk Cosmodromes, the Soyuz is transferred in a horizontal position on its transporter/erector rail car, covering the 700-meter distance from the Integration Building to the launch pad.

Once the Soyuz has been raised vertically on the pad, vehicle connections are made for umbilicals, ventilation and fueling, allowing the mobile gantry to be moved into position - a new element added for Spaceport missions.

Completing the launch vehicle with its payload integration

On the same day, the integrated upper composite section - consisting of the mission payload, its Fregat upper stage and the Soyuz ST payload fairing - are installed atop the erected launcher, making it complete. This step differs from operations at Baikonur and Plesetsk Cosmodromes, where payloads are installed inside the Soyuz Integration Building while the launcher is still in its horizontal position. The procedural change at the Spaceport provides Arianespace customers with a vertical payload integration method - continuing the process used with all of the Ariane launchers.

Pre-launch activities three days prior to a Soyuz liftoff from the Spaceport include a countdown rehearsal for the three-stage Soyuz launch vehicle, as well as final preparations and verification of its Fregat upper stage. A countdown rehearsal also is carried out for the upper composite.

Two days before launch, preparations are made for the Soyuz' fueling, and time also is provided for other pre-launch activity with the mission payload, if necessary.

The major countdown activity on launch day starts approximately eight to 10 hours before lift-off, with fueling of the Soyuz beginning at about four hours prior to launch.

A typical Soyuz mission profile to geostationary transfer orbit begins with simultaneous startup-up of the four first stage boosters and second stage central core - which are ignited 20 seconds before liftoff. Once the engine health parameters are validated at an intermediate thrust level, the engines are throttled up to liftoff thrust, and the vehicle leaves the pad.

Jettison of the first stage boosters occurs after 118 seconds of flight, followed by the payload fairing's jettison at 226 seconds. Once the second stage has completed its propulsive phase, its separation from the third stage occurs 288 seconds into the mission. The Fregat is separated from Soyuz' third stage at 528 seconds, clearing the way for this upper stage's 588-second burn - leading to the payload's insertion in orbit.