Launch News Pleiades 1, 4 x ELISA, SSOT atop Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat on December 16/17, 2011

[SiberianTiger]

Arianespace’s no. 2 Soyuz mission from French Guiana has been given the launch go-ahead, moving preparations into their final phase for a nighttime liftoff tomorrow with six satellite passengers.

For its second Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, Arianespace will orbit the Pleiades satellite for French space agency CNES, along with four ELISA demonstrator satellites and the Chilean Earth observation satellite, SSOT.

Launch location:

Kourou ELS 5°18'18"N 52°50'02"W

Launch dates and times:

[table="head"]{colsp=7}Launch times (updated)
Time Zone|Australia - Sydney/AEST|Moscow / MSK/ UTC+4|CET UTC+1|Universal / UTC|Washington / EST|French Guiana

Launch time:|1:03:08 pm|06:03:08|03:03:08 am|02:03:08|9:03:08 pm|11:03:08 pm

on:|Dec. 17, 2011|Dec. 17, 2011|Dec. 17, 2011|Dec. 17, 2011|Dec. 16, 2011|Dec. 16, 2011


{colsp=7}[highlight][eventTimer]2011-12-17 2:03:08?before|after;%dd% Days %hh% Hours %mm% Minutes %ss% Seconds %c%[/eventTimer] Joint Pleiades, ELISA, SSOT Launch[/highlight][/table]

Live Coverage

• http://www.arianespace.tv/ - begins 20 minutes before the launch
• http://tsenki.com/broadcast/ - three stand-ups: 3:00-3:45 MSK, 5:25-7:30 MSK (launch is at 6:03), 9:10-10:10 MSK
• http://www.vesti.ru/videos?vid=onair

PAYLOAD 1

Pleiades 1 Earth observation satellite

Pleiades 1 is the first of two dual-use, very-high-resolution satellites in the Pleiades Earth observation system. Both are built by Astrium Satellites in Toulouse for French space agency CNES. The first satellite will be joined by its twin brother Pleiades 2 within a year.

[table="head"]Characteristics|Values
Orbit|sun-synchronous, 695 km altitude
Weight at launch|970 kg
Electrical power|1,500 W
Design life|5 years
[/table]

Two Pleiades satellites are supposed to work together with SPOT-5 optical observation satellite.

The SPOT-5 optical Earth observation satellite combines the advantages of a relatively wide imaging swath and sub-3-metre resolution. Today, new and evolving civil and military challenges facing Europe call for different levels of image resolution.

The Pleiades optical satellites will provide imagery covering a smaller area but with a resolution of 0.70 m.

Together, SPOT and Pleiades will offer a broader range of complementary data better able to meet the diverse requirements of civil users—for example, cartographers, volcanologists, geophysicists, hydrologists and urban planners—and military users.

The Pleiades optical system is being developed under CNES supervision as part of a joint effort with Italy, alongside the Cosmo-Skymed radar imaging system that is under the responsibility of the Italian space agency (ASI).

This French-Italian cooperation will bring users a richer variety of large and small-area optical and radar imagery than ever before, at high and low resolutions.

PAYLOAD 2

4 * ELISA demonstrators satellites

ELISA - The four ELISA demonstrator satellites, part of a joint program between French defense procurement agency DGA and space agency CNES, were produced by a partnership between Astrium Satellites and Thales Airborne Systems.

[table="head"]Characteristics|Values
Orbit: sun-synchronous|700 km altitude
Weight at launch|120 kg each
Platform|Myriade, designed by CNES
Design life|over 3 years
[/table]

The ELISA project will be used to map radar transmitters across the planet, and determine their characteristics.

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actu...au-domaine-du-renseignement-spatial-militaire

Elisa est un demonstrateur technologique lance par la Direction generale de l’armement (DGA) et constitue de quatre satellites volant en formation a 700 km d’altitude. Il vise a demontrer la capacite a localiser et caracteriser des radars au sol depuis l’Espace. Pendant au moins 3 ans, les equipes de la DGA installees a Bruz (pres de Rennes) en collaboration avec les forces armees, notamment la Direction du renseignement militaire (DRM) de Creil, vont explorer les moyens d’ameliorer la precision et la qualite des informations recueillies. Le projet Elisa s’inscrit dans la logique engagee il y a 15 ans avec les satellites Cerises et Clementine poursuivie a partir de 2004 avec le demonstrateur Essaim qui a permis d’experimenter le recueil de renseignements electromagnetiques dans le domaine des telecommunications.

L’ensemble des enseignements tires de ces demonstrateurs vise a preparer le programme CERES dont la mise en orbite est prevue d’ici la fin de la decennie. Ce programme permettra de localiser et identifier des signaux emis par les systemes adverses notamment pour cartographier les centres de telecommunications et les radars dans les zones de crise, et pour evaluer leur niveau d’activite. Ainsi CERES permettra par exemple de preciser le danger que representent les radars ennemis afin de garantir la suprematie des avions francais, ou encore de determiner l’architecture des reseaux de communication adverses. CERES contribuera directement a la fonction « connaissance et anticipation » du Livre blanc sur la defense et la securite nationale.

La DGA a confie a Astrium et Thales Systemes Aeroportes la realisation des quatre satellites et du segment sol.

PAYLOAD 3

SSOT Earth observation satellite

SSOT - "Sistema Satelital para la Observacion de la Tierra" is an Earth observation satellite built by Astrium Satellites for Chilean armed forces.

[table="head"]Characteristics|Values
Orbit: sun-synchronous|610 km altitude
Weight at launch|117 kg
Platform|Myriade, designed by CNES
Design life|5 years
[/table]

Sistema Satelital para Observacion de la Tierra (SSOT) is an high resolution, space-based Earth Observation System ordered by the Chilean Ministry of Defense (MoD). The Chilean MoD and EADS Astrium signed a contract covering development of the system on August 7, 2008.

In addition to the spacecraft, the SSOT also includes a ground control segment and image processing facilities to be located in Chile.

The SSOT is equipped with a latest-generation payload capable of supplying images with a resolution of 1.45 meters in panchromatic mode and 5.8 meters in each of four color bands in multispectral mode. It is intended to serve both military and civil customers using high quality images for applications such as cartography; agricultural management; forestry; water, mineral and oil resources; crop protection; natural disaster response; and urban planning.


Launch Vehicle:

[table="head"]{colsp=2}Characteristics

|[table="head"]{colsp=2}

Soyuz-2.1a​

Prime contractor:​

|

• Samara Space Sentre (Energia Holding enterprise)
  

GRAU Index:​

|

• 14A14

Height:​

| 51.1 m

Diameter:​

| max 10.3 m

Liftoff mass:​

| 313 metric tonnes

Payload mass:​

| up to 6830 kg (a launch to LEO from Plesetsk)

1st stage (boosters B, V, G, D):​

|

• 4 X RD-107 engines
• Propellants (T-1 Kerosene and LOX)
• Thrust/ISP in vacuum - / 320.2 s
• Thrust/ISP at sea level 85.6 tonnes / 263.3 s

2nd stage (core A):​

|

• 1 X RD-108 engine
• Propellants (T-1 Kerosene and LOX)
• Thrust/ISP in vacuum 94 tonnes / 320.6 s
• Thrust/ISP at sea level 80.8 tonnes / 257.7 s

3rd stage (block I):​

|

• 1 X RD-0110 engine
• Propellants (T-1 Kerosene and LOX)
• Thrust/ISP in vacuum 30.38 tonnes / 326 s

Upper Stage:​

|

• GRAU Index: -
• Common Name: Fregat (meaning Frigate)
• Designer & Manufacturer: Lavochkin Association (NPO)
• Dimensions: Length 2.4 m, Diameter (max) 3.350 m
• Empty Mass 930 kg
• Propellants 5250 kg max

• Main Engine: 1 X S5.92
• Thrust in vacuum 2.0 tonnes of force (full power)
• Thrust in vacuum 1.4 tonnes of force (small power)
• ISP 333.2 s

Payload Fairing:​

|

• Diameter 3.7 m
• Length 7.7 m

[/table]
[/table]


The launch vehicle's reliability standings

According to http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/log2011.html#rate:

================================================================ 
Vehicle     Successes/Tries Realzd Pred  Consc. Last     Dates    
                             Rate  Rate* Succes Fail    
================================================================
Soyuz 2-1a/Fregat 6     7#   .86  .78      4    5/21/09  2006-

Ascent profile

Weather Forecast for Sinnamary, French Guiana on December 17, 2011 (11 p.m.)

Time|Temps|Wind Chill|Heat Index|UV Index|Dew Point|Relative Humidity|Precip|Snow|Clouds|Visibility|Wind|Weather
11 PM|24°C|24°C|24°|0 Low|23°C|93%|40%|0%|44%|16KM|NNE 1mph|

Sct T-Storms

References

http://www.esa.int
http://www.cnes.fr
http://www.arianespace.com
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com
http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru
http://astronautique.actifforum.com
http://www.spacelaunchreport.com
http://www.cnes.fr/web/CNES-en/3236-pleiades.php
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actu...au-domaine-du-renseignement-spatial-militaire
http://www.samspace.ru
http://www.laspace.ru
http://www.intellicast.com
http://www.good-stuff.co.uk/suntimes/sunmap.php

 

[SiberianTiger]

Mission related pictures

October 19, 2011

The upper and lower sections for Soyuz’ core second stage are positioned for horizontal mating in the Spaceport’s MIK integration building.

October 26, 2011

A 747 cargo jetliner recently delivered the ELISA and SSOT satellite payloads to French Guiana for the VS02 Soyuz mission in December.

October 31, 2011

Integration of the initial two first-stage boosters is highlighted in this photo series. At top, one of the boosters is readied for removal from its protective shipping and storage container in the MIK integration building’s receiving area. In the middle photo, the booster is transferred into the MIK facility’s central area using mobile jigs aligned in the floor-level rail system. The bottom image shows Soyuz’ two boosters mated to its second stage central core, which is positioned on MIK’s “Paquetirovtchik” integration stand.

November 8, 2011

The Fregat upper stage for Arianespace’s second Soyuz mission at the Spaceport is readied for fueling in the S3B preparation facility.

November 23, 2011

The hexagonal-shaped Pléiades 1is readied for its pre-launch checkout in one of the Spaceport’s clean room facilities at French Guiana.

December 1, 2011

3rd stage of the launcher is being prepared for airlifting in Samara, Russia

December 2, 2011

Pléiades 1 is shown while being fueled in the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility. Built by the Astrium business unit of EADS, it will provide military and civilian users with processed 50-cm resolution imagery at ground coverage swath widths of 20 km. Pléiades 1 is based on a smaller, less expensive and more agile design than the predecessor Spot and Helios satellites – which were launched by Ariane vehicles beginning in 1986.

The Fregat upper stage for Soyuz has finished its fuelling process in the Spaceport’s S3B clean room facility, and shown being moved into the integration stand where it will be fitted with Pléiades 1 and the mission’s five co-passengers. Once assembled, this element of the Soyuz launcher, known as the “upper composite,” will be completed by the protective payload fairing, which is visible at the left. The upcoming Soyuz flight from French Guiana follows Arianespace’s maiden launch with the Russian-built medium lift vehicle, which was performed at the Spaceport on October 21.

December 6, 2011

The basic Soyuz launcher is shown with its installed Block I third stage inside the Spaceport’s MIK integration building (1 st photo), while the Pléiades 1 satellite is moved into the S3B clean room’s integration stand, to be placed atop the Fregat upper stage (next photo).

December 12, 2011

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 52-meter-tall 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 six satellite passengers and the payload fairing.

The transporter/erector rail car moves onto the massive concrete launch pad with its Soyuz launcher after passing underneath the mobile service gantry during today’s rollout.

December 13, 2011

Integration of the Soyuz’ upper composite is detailed in this photo series. Its arrival on the launch pad aboard a special transport system is shown in the two images at left. Once aligned, the upper composite is hoisted to the mobile gantry’s upper level, where it is installed atop the basic three-stage Soyuz vehicle.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

It must be Soyuz/R7 heaven this Christmas: four launches of the Soyuz rocket are scheduled for the next 12 days! :thumbup:

2011-12-17 02:03 UTC Pleiades 1, 4 x ELISA, SSOT: Soyuz 2-1a/Fregat Kourou ELS
2011-12-21 13:16 UTC Soyuz-TMA-03M: Soyuz-FG Baikonur 1/5
2011-12-23 12:08 UTC Merdian 5: Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat Plesetsk 43/4
2011-12-28 17:09 UTC 6 x GlobalStar-2: Soyuz-2-1a/Fregat Baikonur 31/6

 

[N_Molson]

Countdown started on Arianespace website.

T- 3 hours 39 minutes

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: LIVE: Soyuz ST-A set to launch six satellites from Kourou

 

[orb]

Liftoff!

 

[orb]

Pleiades 1 and ELISA satellites separated successfully.

The separation of SSOT should occur in about 2 hours, 15 minutes.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

SSOT separated a few minutes ago. Congratulations!

 

[SiberianTiger]

 

[Scruce]

NOTE: This video contains the launch, the preparations of the next ISS Expedition and also mentions a few upcoming CNSA launches.

Space Spying: 'Soviets did a great job with Soyuz' (RussiaToday):
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3s0sJnk-Hw"]Space Spying: 'Soviets did a great job with Soyuz' - YouTube[/ame]

A Russian-built rocket has launched successfully from the European spaceport in French Guiana - taking with it a payload of mostly spy satellites for France. One of the civilian uses, though, is that one of the satellites will provide us with high-resolution 3D colour images of the Earth. Also on board is a Chilean eye-in-the-sky, which will be used for mapping farmlands. It's only the second time a Russian rocket has blasted off from outside former Soviet countries - following a similar successful mission last month in French Guiana. RT talks to Mark Hempsell, Vice President of the British Interplanetary Society.

 

[N_Molson]

Another good one ! :thumbup:

:hail: R-7 !

 

[orb]

Aviation Week: Pleiades May Boost French Competitiveness