Improved Soyuz 2-1a Launcher Makes Its First Flight

LAUNCH PAD

File photo of the The Soyuz 2-1a maiden launch from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome on November 8.

Samara, Russia (SPX) Nov 29, 2004
This months successful maiden flight of an improved Soyuz vehicle marked an important milestone in the program to bring this Russian workhorse vehicle into Arianespace's commercial launcher family.

The Soyuz 2-1a version lifted off from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome on November 8, and carried a test payload. It used a digital flight control system with a high-speed onboard computer.

This new control system provides additional mission flexibility, and also will enable Soyuz to be equipped with a larger payload fairing for its future use in commercial Arianespace missions from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Arianespace Chief Executive Jean-Yves Le Gall congratulated the Russian Space Agency, the Samara Space Center (which develops and produces Soyuz) and all engineers and technicians who participated in the Soyuz 2-1a mission.

The Soyuz 2-1a maiden launch will be followed by the validation of further improvements to the Soyuz launcher, including a more powerful third stage that increases overall launch vehicle performance and provides the capability to carry heavier payloads.

The flight of this Soyuz configuration - designated Soyuz 2-1b - is planned in 2006 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Russia.

Both new Soyuz versions will become part of Arianespace's expanded commercial launcher family operating from French Guiana - with an inaugural flight of the improved vehicle planned in 2007 from a new launch pad that currently is under construction at the Spaceport.

The Soyuz at French Guiana will become Arianespace's medium-class launch vehicle for commercial and governmental flights. By adding Soyuz to its family of launchers, Arianespace will be able to cost-effectively perform a full range of missions, meeting the company's goal of offering the capability to launch "any mass, to any orbit, any time."

Soyuz will join the heavy-lift Ariane 5 and the lightweight Vega launcher (which is scheduled to begin service in 2007).

LAUNCH PAD

Successful Flight Of Maxus 6 Sounding Rocket

Stockholm, Sweden (SPX) Nov 25, 2004
The Maxus 6 sounding rocket was successfully launched from Esrange, the Swedish Space Corporation rocket base in Kiruna, at 09:35 CET (08:35 UT) Nov 22. Carrying a payload of eight scientific experiments, the rocket reached an altitude of 706 km before falling back to Earth - providing twelve minutes of microgravity.

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.