Soyuz is ready for a close-out Baikonur Cosmodrome launch with Globalstar’s second-generation satellites

The Soyuz for Flight ST26 moves on its transporter/erector rail car toward Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Launch Pad no. 6 (visible in the background, at right). A thermal blanket covering the launcher’s payload fairing will be removed during final preparations before liftoff.

February 2, 2013

Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Launch Pad no. 6 was alive with activity today as a Soyuz was rolled out to perform the final Arianespace/Starsem mission currently contracted by Globalstar for its second-generation satellite constellation, which provides mobile satellite voice and data services.

Flight ST26’s Soyuz is in position over Baikonur Cosmodrome’s Launch Pad no. 6, suspended in place by four support arms. The site’s two-piece “frame” service tower system is visible as it is raised into place around the launcher.

Following procedures employed at Baikonur Cosmodrome since the space age’s birth, the Soyuz with its six-satellite payload was transferred horizontally on a transporter/erector rail car from its assembly and integration building to the launch site. The vehicle was then raised to the vertical position and suspended over the launch pad by four support arms.

This mission is scheduled for a nighttime liftoff on February 5 and uses the same modernized Soyuz that Arianespace operates from French Guiana.  It  follows three similar Soyuz launches performed from Baikonur Cosmodrome by the Starsem affiliate for Arianespace in October 2010, July 2011 and December 2011, and will complete Globalstar’s plan to orbit 24 second-generation satellites. 

Designated Flight ST26, the February 5 mission will be Starsem’s 26th launch since the affiliate’s history-making inaugural Soyuz commercial flight in 1999, which lofted four satellites for Globalstar’s first-generation constellation. 

Flight ST26 will have a nominal duration of 1 hour, 40 minutes, with the six satellites being separated from their dispenser system in a two-step process.  The Globalstar spacecraft weigh approximately 700 kg. each, and are to be injected into a circular phasing orbit, inclined 52 degrees.

Arianespace and Starsem have played an important role in deployment of the Globalstar constellations.  Prior to the missions with its second-generation satellites, Starsem performed eight flights from 1999 to 2007 that orbited 32 first-generation spacecraft, weighing 450 kg. each. 
 

For additional information on this mission, read the Launch Kit.

Follow Starsem’s ST26 mission activities: February 6, 2013 - Starsem/Arianespace completes the deployment of Globalstar’s constellation with a Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome February 5, 2013 - Soyuz Flight ST26 with six Globalstar satellites: Postponed 24 hours due to weather conditions February 4, 2013 - Final checkout underway for the Arianespace/Starsem Soyuz launch with second-generation Globalstar spacecraft January 28, 2013 - Globalstar’s second-generation satellites are encapsulated and ready for installation on their Starsem Soyuz launcher January 25, 2013 - Six Globalstar satellites get their “kick” for next month’s Arianespace/Starsem Soyuz launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome January 21, 2013 - Payload elements come together in Starsem’s wrap-up Soyuz mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome for Globalstar January 15, 2013 - Globalstar’s final batch of second-generation satellites are integrated for their Starsem mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome December 12, 2012 - Six satellites for Globalstar’s close-out Soyuz mission are ready for launch by the Starsem affiliate of Arianespace November 1, 2012 - Arianespace and Globalstar: The wrap-up Soyuz launch with second-generation satellites is set for February