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Globalstar’s six satellites are encapsulated for their upcoming Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome
The encapsulation process in Starsem’s Upper Composite Integration Facility is detailed in these photos. At left, the payload “stack” is rotated horizontally, enabling the Soyuz ST fairing to be moved into position over it (photo at center). With the encapsulation process completed (photo at right), the payload is now ready for transfer to the Soyuz integration building for mating with the launcher.
October 11, 2010
The payload of six Globalstar satellites for Arianespace’s upcoming Soyuz mission has been encapsulated in the protective ST payload fairing at Baikonur Cosmodrome, clearing the way for its integration on the launch vehicle for an October 19 liftoff.
This encapsulation process occurred during the weekend, with the activity performed in the Cosmodrome’s Upper Composite Integration Facility (UCIF). The UCIF is operated by Arianespace affiliate Starsem, which is performing the Soyuz launch on behalf of Arianespace.
To start the encapsulation process, the Soyuz payload “stack” was rotated to the horizontal position. This “stack” consists of the Astrium-built dispenser system with its six integrated Globalstar satellites, along with the Fregat upper stage on which the dispenser is installed.
Once the stack was fixed in its horizontal orientation, the ST payload fairing was then moved into position, encapsulating the dispenser and its satellites. The ST payload fairing has a diameter of 4.11 meters and an overall length of 11.4 meters, and was developed for the improved Soyuz 2 launcher for the Globalstar mission – which also will be the version operated by Arianespace from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
The Globalstar payload stack is now set for its transfer to the Soyuz’ launcher integration building at Baikonur Cosmodrome during the night of October 12-13, readying it for mating to the launch vehicle.
Arianespace’s October 19 mission is one of four contracted by Globalstar to orbit 24 of its second-generation spacecraft – ensuring continuity for the company’s mobile satellite voice and data services that are provided to businesses, governments and consumers.
Liftoff of the Soyuz 2 is scheduled for 11:10 p.m. local time at Baikonur Cosmodrome (9:10 p.m. in Moscow, 7:10 p.m. in Paris, and 10:10 a.m. at Globalstar’s headquarters in Milpitas, California). The nominal mission duration from liftoff to the deployment of Globalstar’s satellites is 1 hr. 40 min., with the six spacecraft being injected into a phasing orbit at an altitude of 920 km., inclined 52 deg.
Each of the satellites – built by Thales Alenia Space – has a trapezoidal-shaped main body, and weigh approximately 700 kg. The spacecraft are equipped with 16 transponders from C- to S-band and 16 receivers from L- band to C-band.