In December 2, 2012 at 06.02 a.m. (Moscow time) Soyuz-ST launcher with Fregat and Pleiades-1B French satellite was successfully launched from Guiana Space Center.

It was the 4th launch performed from Guiana Space center located in French Guiana (South America) and 1797th launch of the carrier of R-7 family produced at TsSKB-Progress.

The next launch under International Cooperation Program is planned for February, 2013: Globalstar-2 American communication satellites will be placed into orbit by Soyuz-2-1a.

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TsSKB-Progress is the main enterprise in “Soyuz at Guiana Space Center” project. It is responsible for the launcher as well as gives general technical directions to Russian industrial enterprises participating in missions.

Soyuz-ST was upgraded according to safety, telemetry and operational requirements set by European partners.

According to the Project it is planned to perform at least 50 launches of Soyuz-ST carrier for the following 15 years. It will considerably increase competitive ability of Soyuz as well as Russia itself based on complimentary launch vehicles family such as French Arian-5, Vega and Russian Soyuz-ST.