Arianespace announces successful launch of 1801st Soyuz launch vehicle

Arianespace, a French commercial space transportation company, made a recent announcement that the Soyuz launch vehicle successfully sent its 1801st flight into space. The launch took place on Friday, March 29, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 00:43 Moscow time.

As the third Soyuz family mission for this year, Arianespace together with its Russian associates reported that the Soyuz TMA-08M manned transport spacecraft was placed accurately on its intended orbit for yet another mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

After the introduction of Soyuz at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) two years ago, the famed Russian medium-class launch vehicle instantly became an essential part of the European launch vehicle fleet, along with the lightweight Vega and heavy-lift Ariane 5. Offered to the commercial market, the French Guiana Soyuz is said to be Europe’s reference medium-class launch vehicle for commercial and governmental missions.

You may also want to read: 

• ORBCOMM, KCM team up to provide global telematics solution

Arianespace readying first launch for 2013

Commercial launch service provider Arianespace is readying for its first launch on 2013 with the heavy-lift flight scheduled for February. According to reports, the France-based company is already assembling the heavy lifter that will be carrying the Amazonas 3 and Azerspace/Africasat-1 telecommunications satellites.

Arianespace is already working on the rocket at the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building and is also in the process of equipping the vehicle with the cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay. The Amazonas 3 will be operated by the Brazilian company Hispasat’s subsidiary, Hispamar Satellites. The vessel was built by SS/L.

On the other hand, the Azerspace/Africasat-1 was built by the Orbital Sciences Corporation for the Azerbaijan state satellite operator Azercosmos. Reports indicate the communications satellite will be providing Ku and C band capacity across Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.

 

Recommended read:

 

• Yamal-402 satellite finally reaches orbital slot