O3b (4 sats) - Soyuz-STB/Fregat-MT (VS08 ) - Куру/Синнамари ELS - 10.07.2014 18:55 UTC

[che wi]

Flight VS08 / O3b - Soyuz ST-B

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1179.asp

Soyuz rolls out to the launch zone for Arianespace's July 10 mission at the service of O3b Networks  
 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 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 four satellite passengers and the payload fairing.

 July 7, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08
The Soyuz for Arianespace's next medium-lift mission has arrived at the launch zone in French Guiana, where it stands ready to receive the four satellite passengers that will join O3b Networks' pioneering high-speed connectivity system.
Applying procedures that have been followed since the workhorse Soyuz launcher inaugurated the space age, the basic three-stage vehicle for Arianespace's July 10 flight emerged this morning fr om its integration building in the Spaceport's northwestern sector.
Soyuz subsequently was moved on a transporter/erector rail car to the ZLS launch zone using the familiar horizontal transfer process – followed by its erection to the vertical orientation and positioning over the launch pad, suspended in place by four large support arms.
With this step completed, all was ready for the purpose-built 53-meter-tall mobile gantry to be moved into position around the launcher, providing a protected environment for installation of the "upper composite" – which consists of the four O3b Networks spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage and the ST-type payload fairing.
Arianespace's July 10 flight is scheduled to lift off precisely at 3:55:56 p.m. local time in French Guiana, with its satellite passengers to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min.  Total payload lift performance is estimated at 3,204 kg., which includes a combined mass of approximately 2,800 kg. for the four spacecraft. 
These O3b Networks Ka-band relay platforms – which were produced by Thales Alenia Space – will create a satellite constellation for telecommunications and Internet services that combine high speed and affordable costs for billions of people across the world who do not yet have adequate internet access. 
This week's launch will mark Arianespace's eighth Soyuz mission from the Spaceport since this workhorse vehicle's French Guiana service entry in October 2011, as well as the company's second mission at the service of O3b Networks – following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.

Preparations with the Flight VS08 Soyuz launcher's "upper composite" are highlighted in the photo series.


The vehicle's payload fairing is adorned with a logo for this mission's customer, O3b Networks;


while the company's four connectivity spacecraft are shown being encapsulated by their protective fairing.


The upper composite is loaded on a special transporter for transfer to the launch zone – wh ere it will be integrated on Soyuz.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1180.asp

O3b Networks' four satellites are integrated on Soyuz for Arianespace's July 10 mission

July 8, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

Arianespace's next medium-lift Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana is now complete following the integration of its "upper composite," made up of four O3b Networks connectivity satellites, their protective payload fairing and the Fregat upper stage.

This activity was performed at the Spaceport's ZLS launch complex near the town of Sinnamary. It began with the upper composite's transfer from the S3B payload preparation facility on a special transporter, and was followed by hoisting to the upper level of a purpose-built mobile gantry – which provides a protected environment for the vertical installation.

Final checkout of the Soyuz launcher is now underway, leading up to the Arianespace liftoff planned on Thursday, July 10 at precisely 03:55:56 p.m. local time in French Guiana. This mission is designated Flight VS08 in the company's numbering system, representing the workhorse Soyuz' eighth flight from French Guiana.

The upcoming launch's payload – four Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites that will join O3b Networks' pioneering high-speed connectivity system – are to be deployed during a flight lasting 2 hrs., 22 min. Equipped with Ka-band transponders, the satellites will be positioned at a medium-orbit altitude of 8,062 km.

Total payload lift performance is estimated at 3,204 kg., including a combined mass of approximately 2,800 kg. for the four spacecraft – which will create a constellation providing telecommunications and Internet services over Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the Middle East, combining the global reach of satellite coverage with the speed of a fiber-optic network.

Flight VS08 will be the second Arianespace mission at the service of O3b Networks, following the orbiting of its initial four satellites with Soyuz in June 2013.

Launch window for VS08
Moscow, Russia
At 10:55:56 p.m. on July 10, 2014


Integration of Flight VS08's "upper composite" is shown in these photos from the Spaceport's ZLS launch complex at French Guiana, beginning with its delivery by a special transporter to the mobile gantry that protects Arianespace's Soyuz.


This composite – composed of O3b Networks' four spacecraft, the Fregat upper stage, plus the protective payload fairing – was then hoisted inside the gantry,


and installed atop the workhorse medium-lift vehicle in the gantry's upper level to complete its build-up.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2014/1181.asp

Soyuz is a "go" for Arianespace's launch to complete O3b Networks' basic satellite network

July 9, 2014 – Soyuz Flight VS08

Arianespace's second Soyuz launch at the service of O3b Networks has been approved for liftoff tomorrow fr om the Spaceport in French Guiana on a flight to complete the basic satellite constellation for this customer's pioneering connectivity service.

The medium-lift mission will loft four relay spacecraft that are to join an initial four orbited by Arianespace on a Soyuz launch in June 2013.  These eight satellites will constitute the network framework to provide fast, flexible and affordable connectivity for O3b Networks customers in emerging markets.

Today's go-ahead for Flight VS08 was given following the readiness review, a regular milestone before every Arianespace mission, which validated the go-status of Soyuz and its satellite payload, along with the Spaceport's launch site infrastructure and the ground stations that will track the mission.

After deployment by Soyuz, the four Thales Alenia Space-produced satellites – each with a liftoff mass of approximately 700 kg. – will be located at a medium-orbit altitude of 8,062 km.

Tomorrow's mission will be the eighth flight by Arianespace's medium-lift Soyuz from the Spaceport, wh ere it was introduced in 2011 to join the company's heavy-lift Ariane 5 and lightweight Vega.

[Salo]

http://www.arianespace.com/images/launch-kits/launch-kit-pdf-eng/VS08-launchkit-GB.pdf

[Iva]

Ребяты!
Надеюсь этот пуск мы увидим?
Или то же запретят трансляцию?

[anik]

Iva пишет:
Ребяты!
Надеюсь этот пуск мы увидим?
Или то же запретят трансляцию?

Подумайте, прежде чем писать: кто может запретить Arianespace показывать пуск купленной ею ракеты с эксплуатируемого ею космодрома?

[Deso]

anik пишет:

Iva пишет:
Ребяты!
Надеюсь этот пуск мы увидим?
Или то же запретят трансляцию?

Подумайте, прежде чем писать: кто может запретить Arianespace показывать пуск купленной ею ракеты с эксплуатируемого ею космодрома?

Хто-хто, Zolotukhin

[anik]

Deso пишет:
Хто-хто, Zolotukhin

"Но как, Холмс?!" (с)

[Deso]

"Элементарно, Ватсон" (Хотя в книгах такой фразы нет) (с) Вчера же этот доктор Мориарти как-то умудрился отобрать у всех присутствовавших на Плесецке телефоны. В этот раз тихоокеанский оптико-волоконный кабель перережет.  "Дьявол — хитрый!.. Хитрый, дьявол!!!" (с)

[Антон Власов]

anik пишет:

Deso пишет:
Хто-хто, Zolotukhin

"Но как, Холмс?!" (с)

Вежливо. (с)

[opty]

В предыдущем запуске Союза с куру на нем стояли рокеткамы . Репортаж был отличный . Надеюсь что этот раз то же установят

[Iva]

anik пишет:

Iva пишет:
Ребяты!
Надеюсь этот пуск мы увидим?
Или то же запретят трансляцию?

Подумайте, прежде чем писать: кто может запретить Arianespace показывать пуск купленной ею ракеты с эксплуатируемого ею космодрома?

Думать боюсь! В нашем мире возможно всё!
- на "-5 мин" залепят камеры пластилином - и усё! А я хочу посмотреть!

[che wi]

... fueling of the Soyuz launcher is complete

[Палкин]

Где ждать трансляции?

[us2-star]

тут

[che wi]

- 30 мин

[ZOOR]

Только заметил - интересно - Soyuz Flight VS08 - т.е. нумерация сквозная, а не привязана к запуску конкретной ПН

[che wi]

- 20 мин

[che wi]

Пошла трансляция

http://www.arianespace.tv/index.htm
http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow