[SatNews] …With this step completed, all was ready for the purpose-built 53-meter-tall mobile gantry to be moved into position around the launcher…
The Soyuz for Arianespace’s next medium-lift mission has arrived at the launch zone in French Guiana, where it stands ready to receive the four satellite passengers that will join O3b Networks’ pioneering high-speed connectivity system.
Soyuz is shown suspended over the launch pad after being raised to the vertical position by its transporter/erector rail car. At left is the Spaceport’s purpose-built mobile gantry, which moves forward to provide a protective environment for integration of the launcher’s “upper composite” – containing the Fregat upper stage, the mission’s four satellite passengers and the payload fairing.
Applying procedures that have been followed since the workhorse Soyuz launcher inaugurated the space age, the basic three-stage vehicle for Arianespace’s July 10 flight emerged this morning from its integration building in the Spaceport’s northwestern sector.
Soyuz subsequently was moved on a transporter/erector rail car to the ZLS launch zone using the familiar horizontal transfer process, followed by its erection to the vertical orientation and positioning over the launch pad, suspended in place by four large support arms.
With this step completed, all was ready for the purpose-built 53-meter-tall mobile gantry to be moved into position around the launcher, providing a protected environment for installation of the “upper composite”, which consists of the four O3b Networks spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage and the ST-type payload fairing.
Preparations with the Flight VS08 Soyuz launcher’s “upper composite” are highlighted in the photo series above. At left, the vehicle’s payload fairing is adorned with a logo for this mission’s customer, O3b Networks; while the company’s four connectivity spacecraft are shown being encapsulated by their protective fairing in the center photo. At right, the upper composite is loaded on a special transporter for transfer to the launch zone – where it will be integrated on Soyuz.
Arianespace’s July 10 flight is scheduled to lift off precisely at 3:55:56 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with its satellite passengers to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min. Total payload lift performance is estimated at 3,204 kg., which includes a combined mass of approximately 2,800 kg. for the four spacecraft.
These O3b Networks Ka-band relay platforms, that were produced by Thales Alenia Space, will create a satellite constellation for telecommunications and Internet services that combine high speed and affordable costs for billions of people across the world who do not yet have adequate Internet access.
This week’s launch will mark Arianespace’s eighth Soyuz mission from the Spaceport since this workhorse vehicle’s French Guiana service entry in October 2011, as well as the company’s second mission at the service of O3b Networks, following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.
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