Soyuz Flight VS15

with two Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capability) satellites

overview

Launch vehicle
Soyuz
Launch date
May 24, 2016
Status
Success
Payload(s)
Galileo FOC 13, Galileo FOC 14
Customer(s)
European Space Agency (ESA)
Prime contractor(s)
OHB-System
Launch site
Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
Orbit
Circular orbit, Medium-Earth orbit

mission
description

For its fourth launch of the year, and the second Soyuz liftoff from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana, Arianespace will orbit two more satellites for the Galileo constellation. This mission, on behalf of the European Commission under a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), will orbit Galileo FOC (Full Operational Capacity) satellites 13 and 14.

At the completion of this flight – designated Flight VS15 in Arianespace’s launcher family numbering system – 14 Galileo satellites will have been launched by Arianespace, which is proud to address Europe’s need with its launcher family. By the end of 2016, an Ariane 5 ES launcher version will carry four additional satellites for the Galileo constellation.

Kourou, French Guiana
5:48:43 a.m.
Washington, D.C., USA
4:48:43 a.m.
Universal Time (UTC)
8:48:43 a.m.
Paris, France
10:48:43 a.m.

Payload

Galileo FOC-M5, SAT 13-14 satellites
  • Orbit

    MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) circular orbit

  • On-board power

    1,900 W

vs15-galileo

The 15th Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) will place two new satellites for Europe’s Galileo satellites navigation System into circular orbit.

The launcher will be carrying a total payload of 1,599 kg.

The launch will be from the Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) in Sinnamary, French Guiana.

countdown
and flight

events
  • Beginning of the meeting for launcher fueling authorization (BTR)
  • Launch vehicle fueling begins
  • End of fueling operations
  • Mobile gantry withdrawal
  • show the countdown
  • Liftoff
    00:00
  • show the countdown
  • Galileo FOC-M5 SAT 13-14 separation (in Orbit Plane A)