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Launch Detail
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Launch Detail
Pulling launch timing, vehicle context, weather signals, and mission evidence.
Launch detail
Starsem SA • Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M • 31/6 (NA)
Starsem SA • Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M • 31/6
The Globalstar second-generation constellation consists of 24 Low Earth Orbiting satellites for satellite phone and data communications.
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Open the launch pad in Google Maps satellite mode using the pad coordinates.
The Globalstar second-generation constellation consists of 24 Low Earth Orbiting satellites for satellite phone and data communications.
The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.
Starsem is a French-Russian company that was created in 1996 to commercialise the Soyuz launcher internationally.
Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.