Photo report: Starsem's eighth mission for Globalstar

October 21, 2007

Starsem's 19th consecutive successful flight orbited four additional Globalstar spacecraft today, bringing the total number of satellites lofted by Starsem for its largest launch services customer to 32.

Our photos below provide mission highlights from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome (Click on the images for a larger version):

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The Soyuz launch vehicle with its four Globalstar satellites is poised on Baikonur Cosmodrome's Launch Pad #6 after its rollout and erection. It was the 1,726th flight of a Soyuz family vehicle, and the ninth Soyuz mission in 2007. The Soyuz was equipped with a Fregat upper stage, which was ignited twice to position the Globalstar payload for its deployment in a 920-km. low Earth orbit.

This close-up image shows the payload fairing as launch team members complete their pre-launch activity on service platforms that surround the Soyuz vehicle. Globalstar's four satellites were installed on a payload dispenser that placed one spacecraft horizontally on the top, with the other three installed vertically around the dispenser's center post. Each satellite weighed approximately 450 kg.

Engines in the Soyuz launcher's central core and four strap-on boosters build up to an intermediate thrust level 20 seconds before lift-off, allowing their operating parameters to be validated. The engines were then throttled up, providing sufficient thrust for the vehicle to leave the pad. This mission was the eighth Soyuz flight performed by Starsem for the California-based provider of mobile satellite voice and data services.

The Soyuz begins the 1 hr. 42 min. mission to deploy its four Globalstar satellites. "This success was made possible thanks to the reliable Soyuz, whose flawless performance enabled today's launch," said Starsem Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall. "Once again, we have demonstrated that Soyuz is an extremely reliable launcher and definitely a very strong partner of the satellite operators!"

Photos: © 2007 Roscosmos