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Baikonur, Kazakhstan (SPX) Oct 18, 2010 The Soyuz vehicle with Globalstar's initial cluster of six second-generation satellites is now on Launch Pad #6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, where it is being readied for liftoff on October 19 in an Arianespace mission performed by its Starsem affiliate. This improved version of Russia's long-operating medium-lift workhouse rolled out in the morning hours today at the Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and was raised into position on the launch pad by its rail car transporter/erector. Next steps in the mission's preparations will include the check-out and countdown rehearsal for Soyuz' lower three stages, a countdown rehearsal for its payload of six Globalstar spacecraft and the launcher's Fregat upper stage, followed by the final chronology leading to the launch at 11:10 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The mission will last 1 hr. 40 min., with the six satellites being deployed in a 920-km. circular phasing orbit inclined 52 deg. during in a two-step process from a purpose-built dispenser system. Two spacecraft mounted on the dispenser's upper section will be released first at 98.6 minutes into the flight, followed by a simultaneous separation of the four payloads from the dispenser's lower portion 1.67 minutes later. Arianespace has been contracted by Globalstar to perform four missions carrying six second-generation satellites each, which will be carried out by Starsem. The second-generation Globalstar satellite weighs approximately 700 kg., and is fitted with 16 transponders from C-to S-band, and 16 receivers from L- to C-band. Its trapezoidal shape conserves volume and allows the cluster of spacecraft on their dispenser to be accommodated under the improved Soyuz' enlarged ST-type payload fairing. These second-generation satellites are designed to support Globalstar's current lineup of voice, Duplex and Simplex data products and services. When the company's next-generation ground network is installed, the advanced constellation also will provide Globalstar customers with enhanced future services featuring increased data speeds of up to 256 kbps. in a flexible Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) configuration. Soyuz launchers have played a key role in the deployment of Globalstar's satellite constellation. An earlier Soyuz version was employed in eight missions conducted from Baikonur Cosmodrome during 1999-2007 to orbit a total of 32 first-generation Globalstar spacecraft. These flights were performed under the direction of Starsem, with each mission carrying four of the 450-kg. first-generation satellites.
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Globalstar Second-Generation Satellites Integrated Into Soyuz Upper StageBaikonur (SPX) Oct 13, 2010 Payload integration for Arianespace's upcoming Soyuz mission is nearly complete, as the dispenser with its six Globalstar satellites has been installed on the launcher's Fregat upper stage at Baikonur Cosmodrome. The October 19 flight will be performed for Arianespace by its Starsem affiliate, and the integration of the dispenser with its satellite cluster on Fregat was completed yesterday ... read more |
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