Soyuz-2.1a Maiden Flight from Vostochny Cosmodrome
28 april 2016April 28, 2016 05: 01 msc time Soyuz-2.1a carrier was launched from Vostochny - the new Russian Cosmodrome. Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Volga Upper Stage designed and manufactured by SRC Progress placed into orbit Aist-2D and Lomonosov spacecraft as well as SamSat-218 nano satellite.
Soyuz-2.1a was launched nominally. Volga Upper Stage successfully placed the satellites into preset orbits.
Team of SRC Progress specialists headed by A.Kirilin - General Director, R. Akhmetov – General Designer, V.Kapitonov – Launch Manager supported the first launch campaign.
The entire staff of RSC Progress celebrates immense triumph. Vostochny is the fourth space port in the world from which launch vehicles designed and manufactured by Samara enterprise are launched.
SRC Progress participated to creation of Vostochny Cosmodrome from the very beginning – choosing the site and reconnaissance of the ground, issuing of Input Data for elaboration of Design, Construction and Assembly documentation. As well the company delivered, tested and commissioned Ground Support Equipment used for Soyuz-2 Launcher and Volga Upper Stage processing in the Processing and Launching Facilities.
March 2016 were performed comprehensive tests of the Launch Facility – Soyuz-2.1a with Volga Dry Run. Technicians from SRC Progress and subcontracting companies checked all the systems of the Launch Vehicle, Upper Stage, Launching Facility up. LV and US processing procedures to be applied on the Launch Facility were trialed as well.
Soyuz-2.1a has been in operation since 2004, though for the launch from Vostochny it was improved and updated. Onboard computer was upgraded to be up-to-date, powerful and less bulky. The carrier is equipped with new electrochemical power sources, which are constant-ready status storage batteries and do not require Charging Facility. It is going to be the first time when Soyuz-2 is equipped with the Russian onboard video-system to monitor in-flight separation of the carrier units. Soyuz-2-1a uses ecologically friendly propellant components.
Soyuz-2 Launch Facility on Vostochny Cosmodrome differs from the similar Launch Facilities of other Russian space ranges by mobile gantry which provides comfortable access to all the service areas of the erected launch vehicle on the launch table. Liquid oxygen vapors are removed outside the gantry via special-purpose discharge devices. Spacious and comfortable command post of the Launch Facility is equipped with the cutting-edge hardware to control launch process, including launch manager information system which allows visualization of onboard and ground systems real-time status to make efficient decisions.
Volga Upper Stage is designed and manufactured by SRC Progress JSC. It is a low-sized upper stage designed to place satellites launched by Soyuz-2 phase 1a, 1b, 1v onto circular and solar-synchronous orbits.
Aist-2D small satellite is designed and manufactured by SRC Progress jointly with Samara State Aerospace University (currently Samara National Research University named after S.P.Korolev). SamSat-218 nano-satellite was designed by SSAU students and postgraduate students.