Launcher integration moves into final phase for the Soyuz 2 mission with six Globalstar satellites

The Soyuz upper composite is shown mated to launcher’s third stage in the MIK 40 vehicle assembly building at Baikonur Cosmodrome.

October 14, 2010

Final launcher integration is now underway for next week’s Soyuz 2 mission, which will orbit six Globalstar second-generation satellites from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The launcher’s upper composite – which is composed of the six Globalstar spacecraft and their dispenser system, the ST payload fairing that protects the satellites during ascent, and the Fregat upper stage – has been mated to the Soyuz 2’s Block I third stage.

This activity occurred in the Cosmodrome’s Soyuz vehicle assembly building, known as MIK 40, where the upper composite was transferred during the night of October 12-13.  It clears the way for the final integration to complete the four-stage launcher.

The October 19 mission will be performed on behalf of Arianespace by its Starsem affiliate, and is the first of four flights to orbit 24 of Globalstar’s second-generation spacecraft – ensuring continuity for the company’s mobile satellite voice and data services that are provided to businesses, governments and consumers.

Each of the six Thales Alenia Space-built satellites to be deployed during the 1-hr., 40-min. flight weigh approximately 700 kg., and are equipped with 16 transponders from C- to S-band, along with 16 receivers from L- band to C-band.

Soyuz 2 is the evolved version of Russia’s venerable medium-lift workhorse launcher, which incorporates the enlarged ST payload fairing and an updated digital flight control system.  Arianespace will utilize Soyuz 2 at the Spaceport in French Guiana beginning next year, operating side-by-side with its heavyweight Ariane 5 vehicle and the future Vega lightweight launcher.

Launch Window for Soyuz Flight ST22 with six Globalstar second-generation satellites
Baikonur Cosmodrome	Moscow, Russia	Paris, France	Pacific Daylight Time
11:10 p.m. on October 19, 2010	9:10 p.m. on October 19, 2010	7:10 p.m. on October 19,2010	10:10 a.m. on October 19, 2010

Follow Starsem’s ST22 mission activity with the update stories: Soyuz delivers: Six satellites are orbited for Globalstar’s second-generation constellation (October 19, 2010) Liftoff of Soyuz mission with six Globalstar satellites (October 19, 2010) Soyuz moves to the launch pad with its six Globalstar second-generation satellites (October 16, 2010) Assembly of the Soyuz 2 launcher is complete for its upcoming Globalstar mission (October 15, 2010) Launcher integration moves into final phase for the Soyuz 2 mission with six Globalstar satellites (October 14, 2010) Globalstar’s six satellites are encapsulated for their upcoming Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome (October 11, 2010) Globalstar's second-generation satellites are integrated on the Soyuz upper stage (October 8, 2010) Integration is complete with the six Globalstar satellites for Soyuz’ mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome this month (October 1, 2010) Globalstar's six second-generation satellites are readied for Soyuz launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Septembet 7, 2010) Initial Soyuz mission with Globalstar second-generation satellites is being readied for an October liftoff from Baikonur Cosmodrome (August 27, 2010) For additional information on the ST22 mission, read the Launch Kit.