Preparations for the launch of 18 rideshare small spacecraft under Glavkosmos contracts are being completed at Vostochny
MOSCOW, February 26. – On Monday, the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle, with the Fregat upper stage, the Meteor-M No. 2-4 satellite as the main payload and 18 small spacecraft as the rideshare payload, was rolled out from the assembly and testing facility and installed at the launch pad of the Vostochny Ñosmodrome. The launch is scheduled for February 29, at 08:43 Moscow time.
Now the specialists of the Russian space industry enterprises are carrying out the final technological operations. They are conducting pre-launch tests of systems and units of the Soyuz-2.1b; the interaction of onboard and ground equipment is also being checked.
Glavkosmos (part of Roscosmos) is the main integrator of the works and the launch service provider in the project of launching rideshare payloads. In total, in this first launch from the Vostochny in 2024, 18 small satellites will be launched as a rideshare payload for the benefit of the Russian and foreign customers.
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Glavkosmos, JSC is a subsidiary of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos. The main task of the company is to promote the achievements of the Russian rocket and space industry to world markets and to manage complex international projects. Throughout its history, the company has successfully fulfilled over 140 international contracts, including the launch of more than 200 spacecraft as a secondary payload.
Since May 2021, Glavkosmos has been the official operator of Roscosmos trademarks.
ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation established in August 2015 to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Russian rocket and space industry. ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of the state policy in space activities and its normative and legal regulations, as well as places orders for the design, production and supply of space equipment and space infrastructure. ROSCOSMOS is also vested with authority to develop international cooperation in space and establish the appropriate environment for applying achievements in space domain for the social and economic development in Russia.