Starsem/Arianespace Flight ST12

December 24 Update: The Soyuz/Fregat is in the launch zone!

Adhering to a tradition that has been used since the early days of Russia's space program, the completed launch vehicle for Starsem/Arianespace ST12 rolled out at 7:30 a.m. this morning at Baikonur Cosmodrome. The rollout followed an intense period of activity over the past eight days, during which the AMOS 2 satellite payload was mated to its Fregat upper stage on Dec. 17, followed by its encapsulation in the Soyuz fairing. This activity took place in the Starsem clean room facilities within the MIK40 integration building. The AMOS 2/Fregat combination was then transferred to the MIK40 facility, where it was mated to the Soyuz launcher.



 

Launch team members lower the AMOS 2 satellite onto the Fregat upper stage. Fregat is an autonomous upper stage that has been proven in a number of space missions. It is powered by a single-chamber Lavochkin engine that operates on N204 oxidizer and UDMH fuel. During the ST12 mission, the Fregat will perform three separate burns to place AMOS 2 into geostationary transfer orbit.


AMOS 2 is shown after its integration atop the Fregat upper stage. AMOS 2 was built by the MBT Space Division of Israel Aircraft Industries and will be operated by Israel's Spacecom Ltd. The satellite originally was scheduled for an Ariane 5 launch, but was switched to Soyuz/Fregat in a decision with the client and as a result of the Starsem/Arianespace launcher family policy.

 


 

Under a clear Kazakhstan sky, the ST12 mission's Soyuz/Fregat vehicle is raised to its vertical position on Launch Pad #6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Flight ST12 is the 12th mission to be carried out by Starsem. Liftoff of the Soyuz/Fregat with its AMOS 2 satellite payload is set for 2:30 a.m. on December 28 (local time at Baikonur Cosmodrome).





  • To read the December 28th update, "Success for Flight ST12 - The AMOS 2 satellite is in orbit!", click here.
  • To read the December 24th update, "The Soyuz/Fregat is in the launch zone!", click here.
  • To read the December 15th update, "The Fregat upper stage is fueled and ready for integration with AMOS", click here.
  • To read the December 12th update, "Fueling of the AMOS 2 satellite is complete", click here.
  • To read the November 26th update, "Pre-launch checkout underway for the AMOS 2 satellite", click here.
  • To read the November 18th update, "Preparations have begun for the liftoff of AMOS 2 ", click here.
  • To see the latest headlines click here.


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