Free Newsletters - Space News - Defense Alert - Environment Report - Energy Monitor
. 24/7 Space News .




New Soyuz Model Successfully Launched

Photo of the maiden flight of the Soyuz 2-1a launch vehicle. Credits: ESA/ASI - S.Corvaja.
Plesetsk, Russia (ESA) Nov 11, 2004
The maiden flight of a Soyuz 2-1a launch vehicle took place on Monday 8 November 2004 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia at 21:30 Moscow time (19:30 Paris). Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners report that the mission was accomplished successfully.

This launch marks a major step forward in the Soyuz evolution programme as this modernised version of the launcher implements a digital control system providing additional mission flexibility and enabling control of the launch vehicle with a larger fairing.

The next step will be the introduction of the Soyuz 2-1b. This launcher version will have a more powerful third-stage engine to significantly increase the overall launch vehicle performance and provide additional payload mass capability. The inaugural flight of the Soyuz 2-1b is presently scheduled for mid-2006 from Baikonur.

Both new versions of the Soyuz launcher will be adapted in view of their exploitation by Arianespace from the Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.

This will be made possible through the "Soyuz at CSG" ESA programme, which encompasses the development of a Soyuz launch complex on the territory of Sinnamary and participation in the Soyuz 2-1b development.

The Soyuz at CSG programme is a key building block in the implementation of strategic cooperation between ESA and the Russian Space Agency, which falls under the general framework of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and ESA on Cooperation and Partnership in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, signed in Paris on 11 February 2003.

ESA's decision to open the CSG for the exploitation of the Soyuz ST launcher from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is a major step forward in reinforcing the range of accessible missions that can be performed from the Spaceport.

The versatile and flexible medium-class Soyuz ST launch vehicle, together with the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the Vega small launcher will provide Arianespace with a family of launchers enabling it to cost-effectively perform the full spectrum of commercial and institutional missions from French Guiana.

The inaugural flight of a Soyuz ST from French Guiana is scheduled for 2007.

"We share the excitement of Starsem, Arianespace and their Russian partners for the successful launch of the new Soyuz 2-1a model and we will continue to strive to accomplish what we have started: to bring Soyuz to the European spaceport as soon as possible to enhance Europe's launch capabilities" says Jean-Pierre Haignere, ESA's Soyuz at CSG Programme Manager.

Related Links
Starsem
Arianespace
Plesetsk
ESA Permanent Mission in Russia
Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG)
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express

Russia Launches Soyuz-2 Test Rocket
Moscow (AFP) Nov 08, 2004
Russia successfully test-launched Monday a new generation rocket, the Soyuz-2, according to space officials quoted by Russian news agencies. The rocket was launched at 9:30 pm (1830 GMT) from the Plesetsk space center in northwestern Russia, a Russian space official said. Eight minutes later, it put into orbit a model of a satellite.



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.