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Feature story

Soyuz' new launch site comes to Paris…in miniature

June 11, 2010

The creation of Soyuz’ new launch facility at the Spaceport in French Guiana has attracted worldwide attention, and is once again the center of focus during an exposition in Paris.

As part of events planned for a year-long celebration of French-Russian relations, a scale model of the Soyuz launch site is being displayed at an exposition of Russian industrial, technological and scientific achievements. 

Held at the famous Grand Palais in the heart of Paris, this five-day show was opened today by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and French Prime Minister François Fillon.  They were welcomed at the Soyuz launch site’s scale model by Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall and Anatoli Perminov, Director of the Roscosmos Russian space agency.

Soyuz’ upcoming introduction at the Spaceport will provide Arianespace with a proven medium-lift launcher, which is to operate side-by-side with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 – and in the future, with the lightweight Vega.

Construction of the Soyuz facility in French Guiana is nearly complete, and the initial launch vehicle is undergoing its assembly and checkout in preparation for its maiden flight from the Spaceport.