Special report: The Globalstar mission in photos
May 31, 2007
Starsem's successful May 30 launch was the first of two missions planned in 2007 for Globalstar. These flights carry a cluster of four Globalstar spacecraft each, which will augment Globalstar's current constellation of relay satellites for two-day voice and data service.
Our photos detail the final preparations for Soyuz at Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome as well as the launch vehicle's liftoff at 4:18 a.m. local time. (Click on the images for a larger version):
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The Soyuz is shown on launch pad no. 6 as it completes the fueling process. The vehicle is surrounded by a service platform, which tilts back to the parked position 30 minutes prior to liftoff. Starsem's May 30 mission was the 1,721st launch of a Soyuz family vehicle. |
| A close-up photo shows the service tower in position around Soyuz' payload fairing with the four Globalstar satellites. These Globalstar spacecraft were carried by a payload dispenser that positioned three satellites vertically around the dispenser's center post, while the fourth was installed in a horizontal position atop the dispenser. |
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The Soyuz begins its ascent during the early morning launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome. This was Starsem's seventh mission for Globalstar. The six previous flights were performed between February and November 1999, orbiting a total of 24 satellites - which represented one-half of the original Globalstar constellation. |
