MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Soyuz-Fregat orbits the Galaxy 14 satellite for PanAmSat
August 14, 2005
Starsem's Soyuz-Fregat launcher scored another success with today's launch of PanAmSat's Galaxy 14 satellite in an early morning mission from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
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| The Soyuz-Fregat exhaust plume creates a spectacular light show in the early morning sunlight as the launcher gains altitude and heads downrange following its ascent from Baikonur Cosmodrome. |
Today's flight was performed by Starsem as part of the cooperation with its Arianespace affiliate company, which allows the two launch service providers to best respond to their clients' needs. Galaxy 14 originally had been planned for launch on an Arianespace Ariane 5, and subsequently was switched to Starsem's Soyuz-Fregat to meet PanAmSat's operational requirements.
The mission's Soyuz-Fregat launcher lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome on schedule at 5:28 a.m. local time (01:28 a.m. Paris time, and 7:28 p.m. in Washington, D.C.) and climbed out on the power of its four first-stage boosters and central core second stage.
Tracking cameras followed the launcher for well over five minutes as it headed downrange, clearly showing the Soyuz-Fregat's flight progress - including the jettisoning of its four first-stage boosters. At altitude, the launcher's exhaust plume was illuminated by early morning sunlight, providing an unusual - and spectacular - light show.
"I want to thank everyone for Galaxy 14's great ride today, and we appreciate your dedication and teamwork in making this flight a success," said Bryan Sing, PanAmSat's Galaxy 14 Project Manager.
Today's mission had been delayed 24 hours by telemetry that indicated a problem in a valve connecting the launch pad's liquid oxygen delivery line to the Soyuz-Fregat vehicle. Once the problem was resolved, team members gave the go-ahead for a new final countdown, which continued without interruption to the launcher's liftoff.
Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall thanked the Russian team that worked to quickly identify the problem and to ensure the Soyuz-Fregat vehicle was ready for the second countdown 24 hours later.
Le Gall said the next Soyuz mission under Starsem responsibility will be the October 26 launch of the Venus Express space probe for the European Space Agency.
Venus Express arrived at Baikonur Cosmodrome's Yubileiny airport on August 7 aboard an Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft. The spacecraft was transported to the state-of-the-art Starsem Payload Processing Facilities (SPPF) at the Cosmodrome, where it will undergo pre-launch checkout through the end of August.
See our other Feature Stories on the Galaxy 14 mission:
-LIFTOFF! Soyuz-Fregat makes an on-time departure from Baikonur Cosmodrome - August 14
-LIFTOFF! Soyuz-Fregat makes an on-time departure from Baikonur Cosmodrome - August 14
-Soyuz-Fregat mission with Galaxy 14 rescheduled for Aug. 13 - August 13
-Launch hold for the Soyuz-Fregat mission with Galaxy 14 - August 13
-Soyuz-Fregat launcher readied for launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome with Galaxy 1 - August 12
-The Galaxy 14 launch campaign enters its final phase - August 9
-Galaxy 14 launch campaign is underway - July 7
