Construction of the Soyuz site began in February 2007, although initial excavation and ground infrastructure work began in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Russian staff arrived in French Guiana in mid-2008 to assemble the launch table, mobile gantry, fuelling systems and test benches. The first two Soyuz launchers arrived from Russia by sea in November 2009 to be assembled in the new preparation and integration building. The launch site is almost identical to the other Soyuz sites in Kazakhstan and Russia, although adapted to conform to European safety regulations. The most visible difference is the 45 m-tall mobile gantry, which allows payloads to be installed on the launcher vertically on the launch pad. Its internal movable work platforms provide access to the Soyuz at various levels for checkout activities. Soyuz fits neatly between the Ariane 5 and Vega launchers developed by ESA. Ariane 5 meets the requirements for larger satellites and Vega will complement this for smaller payloads. Soyuz also introduces the exciting potential for upgrading the new launch facility to allow manned launches to the International Space Station from French Guiana. First Soyuz almost ready for launch from French Guiana The final countdown before its maiden flight later this year has begun for Soyuz with a simulated launch campaign at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This dry run ensures that the Soyuz and the new facilities work together perfectly, while allowing the teams to train under realistic launch conditions. It also validates all the procedures during the final phase before launch, except the fuelling of the vehicle. Soyuz transfer to launch zone Last Friday, one of the two Soyuz launchers already at the Spaceport was rolled out of the preparation building horizontally using the 600 m-long railway leading to the launch platform. The vehicle was then erected into the vertical position and suspended over the pad with the use of four support arms. The mobile gantry, built specifically for Soyuz operations in French Guiana, was rolled out to the pad and the vehicle’s upper composite, comprising the Fregat upper stage and payload fairing, was hoisted on top of the launcher. View from Soyuz launch table The rehearsal is simulating the five-day final phase before launch, planned on 4 May. The final countdown will be performed, including the gantry’s rollback to its parked position, 80 m from the pad. It will be intentionally stopped to validate the procedures in the event of a launch interruption. The countdown will resume on 5 May with a simulated liftoff and flight downrange. These tests will give the green light for the first Soyuz flight from French Guiana in October 2011.
