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By the numbers

• The Soyuz launch vehicle has been in continuous production since 1957, demonstrating its unmatched reliability with more than 1,700 missions to date.
• Vega, which made its maiden flight in 2012, is designed with a target payload lift capability of 1,500 kg. on missions to a 700-km. circular orbit.

Soyuz & Vega at the Spaceport

Soyuz takes flight from French Guiana with a painting contest at the city of Sinnamary

September 22, 2009

Sinnamary Mayor Jean-Claude Madeleine reviews the brothers’ winning artwork.  The painting at right will be included on the payload fairing for Soyuz’ maiden flight from French Guiana in 2010.

The future of Soyuz as seen by French Guiana’s youth was the focus of a painting contest held this month at Sinnamary, which is the city located closest to the launch site for Arianespace’s newest member of its growing launcher family.

A full range of drawings depicting Soyuz liftoffs from French Guiana, along with Sinnamary’s landmarks, were judged during the contest – with two brothers sharing the first prize of an Arianespace-provided trip to Disneyland Paris. 

The winning painting will be included on the payload fairing of the first Soyuz to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport.

As part of the contest, a public meeting on the Soyuz launch site was organized at Sinnamary, providing an update on the new facility that will host operations of this legendary medium-lift vehicle beginning next year.