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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 is scheduled to enter operation in 2011 with a target payload lift capability of 1,500 kg. on missions to a 700-km. circular orbit.

Soyuz & Vega at the Spaceport

A world's first: Soyuz is in the launch zone at Europe's Spaceport

Soyuz is shown raised on its launch pad at the Spaceport, being held by the transporter/erector rail car. The four arms that will suspend Soyuz over the flame duct are shown in their near-final position. The mobile gantry is visible at left before its approach to the Russian-built medium-lift launcher.

April 29, 2011

The latest addition to Arianespace’s launcher family made its world debut today at the vehicle’s new base of operations, as the first Soyuz was rolled out to the Spaceport’s launch pad in French Guiana.

This historic event began in the morning hours, when the Russian-built medium-lift workhorse vehicle emerged from its MIK integration facility in the Spaceport’s north zone for a 600-meter transfer to the launch zone.

The transporter/erector rail car elevates Soyuz into position on the Spaceport’s launch pad during the dry run exercise’s first day of activity.

It marked the start of a “dry run” validation of procedures that will replicate all aspects of a Soyuz mission’s typical multi-day final preparation phase at the Spaceport – except for the vehicle’s actual fueling.  For this dry run, the process will continue to the final countdown on May 4, when it will be purposely stopped – allowing procedures to be confirmed in the scenario of a launch-day interruption.  The final countdown will be resumed on May 5, with a simulated liftoff and downrange mission trajectory.

The vehicle involved in this exercise is a flight-worthy launcher that will be used for a future mission after Soyuz enters service beginning later this year.   It is one of two launchers that have been delivered from Russia to French Guiana.

Based on the processing flow established for Soyuz missions at the Spaceport, the three-stage launcher had been horizontally integrated in the MIK facility and was rolled out to the launch zone on a transporter/erector rail car. 

The Soyuz vehicle – composed of its four first-stage strap-on boosters, the Block A core second stage, and the Block I third stage – was then raised into position over the massive concrete launch pad by the transporter/erector, where it was then suspended in position with the use of the launch pad’s four primary support arms at mid-day.

During the afternoon hours today, the 52-meter-tall mobile gantry that was developed specifically for Soyuz operations at the Spaceport moved into position around the vehicle, allowing delivery and integration of the launcher’s upper composite in the evening.  This upper composite consists of a Fregat upper stage and the ST-type payload fairing.  For the dry-run exercise, the upper composite did not contain an actual payload.

- High-resolution images of the Soyuz “dry run” exercise are available in the Arianespace Image library.
   (Photos: ©Arianespace 2011)

- Follow the Soyuz “dry run” at the Spaceport with our complete story and photo coverage:

• May 6, 2011: The Spaceport begins operating to the “rhythm” of Arianespace's launcher family trio at the equator
• May 5, 2011: Soyuz performs an on-target “virtual” inaugural mission from the Spaceport
• May 4, 2011: A Soyuz is “born” at the Spaceport
• May 3, 2011: Soyuz is given the “go” for its simulated first launch from the Spaceport
• May 2, 2011: Final preparations are underway for Soyuz' first “virtual” flight from the Spaceport"
• April 29, 2011: Photo report: Day 1 of the Soyuz “dry run” at the Spaceport in French Guiana