2015-017

Soyuz-STB/Fregat-MT

ESA

24 Mar 2015 - Russian technicians rolled a Soyuz rocket from its integration hangar to the launch pad in French Guiana

The rocket rolled from the integration building — known by the Russian acronym MIK — through the launch pad′s mobile gantry, then rotated upright and attached to four hold-down support arms.

Photo′s credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace

Putting coiffe - Photo′s credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace

The two-part 13.4-foot-diameter payload shroud enclosed the satellites March 20.

Two Galileo navigation satellites readied for launch on the Soyuz were set to be transferred to the launch pad later Tuesday, already inside the rocket′s ST-type 13.5-foot-diameter payload fairing. The payloads will be lifted into the gantry and bolted atop the Soyuz rocket, followed by a final series of tests before Friday′s countdown.

Rocket launch - Photo credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace

Launch vehicle:	Soyuz-STB/Fregat-MT
Launch vehicle ID:	VS11
Payload:	Galileo 7 and 8
Launch date:	27 Mar 2015
Launch site:	Ko ELS

Ref.: #12 - update: 06.04.15