{"id":39251,"date":"2015-09-10T17:48:04","date_gmt":"2015-09-10T09:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-conducts-another-galileo-dual-launch\/"},"modified":"2015-09-10T17:48:04","modified_gmt":"2015-09-10T09:48:04","slug":"arianespace-soyuz-st-b-conducts-another-galileo-dual-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-conducts-another-galileo-dual-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Arianespace Soyuz ST-B conducts another Galileo dual launch"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Arianespace Soyuz ST-B has successfully lofted another pair of Galileo satellites from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Thursday. The launch of the FM05 and FM06 satellites took place on schedule at 02:08 UTC, continuing the growth of Europe\u2019s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellation.\n<\/p>\n

Galileo Launch:<\/p>\n

Following the launch of four satellites Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites, forming the operational nucleus of the full 30-satellite constellation \u2013 FM01 and FM02 were then launched as the first two \u201cFull Operational Capability (FOC)\u201d birds to head into orbit.<\/p>\n

Their launch didn\u2019t go to plan as they ended up in an elongated orbit traveling up to 25,900 km above Earth and back down to 13,713 km.<\/p>\n

\"2014-08-22Their orbits were then modified by making them more circular and raising their perigee by more than 3500 km, allowing their navigation payloads to be switched on throughout their orbits.<\/p>\n

The decision whether to use the two satellites as part of the Galileo constellation will be taken by the European Commission based on the results of in-orbit testing.<\/p>\n

The complete Galileo constellation will consist of 30 satellites along three orbital planes in medium Earth orbit (including two spares per orbit). The result will be Europe\u2019s largest ever fleet of satellites, operating in the new environment of medium-Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

Two more satellites were launched earlier this year, with the FM-03 and FM-04 successfully making the ride to orbit.<\/p>\n

NASA mission updates<\/path>NASA educational resources<\/path>NASA mission patches<\/path>\n

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\"2014-08-22The 700 kgs birds sport two Passive Hydrogen Maser atomic clocks; two Rubidium atomic clocks; Clock monitoring and control unit; Navigation signal generator unit; L-band antenna for navigation signal transmission, C-band antenna for uplink signal detection, two S-band antennas for telemetry and tele-commands and a search and rescue antenna.<\/p>\n

Galileo\u2019s highly-accurate atomic clocks will provide the accuracy of the system. Each satellite emits a signal containing the time it was transmitted and the satellite\u2019s orbital position.<\/p>\n

The Galileo program is Europe\u2019s initiative for satellite navigation, providing a highly accurate global positioning system under civilian control, along with European control centers and a worldwide network of sensor and uplink stations.<\/p>\n

\"2014-08-22The launch campaign began with the launch of the first two experimental satellites, Giove-A, and Giove-B, orbited by Arianespace\u2019s Starsem affiliate on Soyuz launchers from Baikonur Cosmodrome in 2005 and 2008.<\/p>\n

The remaining Galileo constellation satellites will be orbited using Soyuz vehicles carrying two spacecraft each, along with three Ariane rockets configured with four per launch.<\/p>\n

Designated Soyuz Flight VS12 in Arianespace\u2019s numbering system, this mission was Arianespace\u2019s eighth launch this year, which has involved separate flights of four Ariane 5s, two Vega vehicles, and a Soyuz launcher.<\/p>\n

\"2015-03-27The mission profile called for the two satellites to be deployed after a flight lasting approximately three hours and 47 minutes.<\/p>\n

The payload dispenser for Galileo was developed by RUAG Space Sweden for Arianespace and carries one satellite on each side.<\/p>\n

It deploys the spacecraft during their Soyuz launch by firing a pyrotechnic separation system to release them in opposite directions at the orbital insertion point.<\/p>\n

The target is a circular orbit at an altitude of 23,522 km., inclined 55.04 degrees to the equator.<\/p>\n

The more powerful Soyuz-ST configuration is the standard version launched from French Guiana, with the additional performance provided by the Soyuz ST-B variant \u2013 including a Fregat-MT upper stage.<\/p>\n

\"\"The Soyuz-2 was developed from the older Soyuz models and features digital flight control systems and modernized engines. It first flew in 2004.<\/p>\n

Two variants are currently in service; the Soyuz-2-1a, and the Soyuz-2-1b which features an RD-0124 third stage engine which provides additional thrust. The RD-0124 was declared operational on 3 May 2011.<\/p>\n

A third configuration, the Soyuz-2-1v, has also debuted, featuring the NK-33 engine in place of the RD-108A used on the core stages of the other configurations, and does not include the strapon boosters used by other configurations.<\/p>\n

The Soyuz-2 forms the basis for the Soyuz-ST rocket, which is optimized to fly from Kourou, and also incorporates a flight termination system and a modified telemetry system.<\/p>\n

With the Soyuz ST-B utilizing the RD-0124 third stage engine, an additional 34 seconds of specific impulse (Isp) significantly increases the vehicle\u2019s overall launch performance.<\/p>\n

Click here for other Soyuz related articles: http:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/soyuz\/<\/p>\n

The RD-0124 is a staged-combustion engine powered by a multi-stage turbopump, which is spun by gas from combustion of the main propellants in a gas generator. These oxygen-rich combustion gasses are recovered to feed the four main combustion chambers where kerosene \u2013 coming from the regenerative cooling circuit \u2013 is injected.<\/p>\n

\"\"Attitude control is provided by main engine activation along one axis in two planes. Liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene tanks are pressurized by the heating and evaporation of helium coming from storage vessels located in the LOX tank.<\/p>\n

Avionics for the Soyuz launcher are carried in the vehicle\u2019s third stage and are located in an intermediate bay between the oxidizer and fuel tanks.<\/p>\n

As part of the Soyuz\u2019 upgrades for its operations from the Spaceport, the launcher\u2019s flight control system is modernized with a digital control system.<\/p>\n

This system incorporates a digital computer and inertial measurement unit that are based on proven technology \u2013 giving the Soyuz improved navigation accuracy and control capability.<\/p>\n

The new digital control system provides a more flexible and efficient attitude control system, and it gives the additional flight control authority required for the new, enlarged Soyuz ST payload fairing.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n