Pléiades-HR 1A is the first of two high resolution Earth observation satellites designed by the French space agency (CNES) and manufactured by Astrium Satellites. The ELISA mission consists of four satellites manufactured by Astrium Satellites and Thales Systèmes Aéoroportés for the French space agency (CNES) and the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA). SSOT is an Earth observation satellite manufactured by Astrium Satellites for the Chilian armed forces.

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. This stage continues to use the RD-0110 engine. The 2.1a/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-A.

Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.

• Direction générale de l'armementGovernment
• National Center of Space ResearchGovernment