Soyuz/Galileo launch timeline

September 10, 2015 Stephen Clark

Follow the key events of the Soyuz rocket’s ascent into orbit from the Guiana Space Center with two satellites for Europe’s Galileo navigation system. A listing of exact times for the flight’s major events is posted below.

Date source: Arianespace

T-0:00:03: Engines at Full Thrust

The five main engines of the Soyuz rocket's core stage and four strap-on boosters are at full thrust.
The five main engines of the Soyuz rocket’s core stage and four strap-on boosters are at full thrust.

T+0:00:00: Liftoff

Producing more than 900,000 pounds of thrust, the Soyuz ST-B (Soyuz 2-1b) rocket soars into the sky from the Guiana Space Center.
Producing more than 900,000 pounds of thrust, the Soyuz ST-B (Soyuz 2-1b) rocket soars into the sky from the Guiana Space Center.

T+0:01:58: Jettison Boosters

The Soyuz rocket's four strap-on boosters, each powered by an RD-107A engine, are jettisoned after consuming their propellant.
The Soyuz rocket’s four strap-on boosters, each powered by an RD-107A engine, are jettisoned after consuming their propellant.

T+0:03:29: Jettison Fairing

The ST-type payload fairing is released from the Soyuz rocket when it reaches the edge of the upper atmosphere. The 13.5-foot-diameter fairing protects the payload during the launch countdown and the flight through the dense lower atmosphere.
The ST-type payload fairing is released from the Soyuz rocket when it reaches the edge of the upper atmosphere. The 13.5-foot-diameter fairing protects the payload during the launch countdown and the flight through the dense lower atmosphere.

T+0:04:48: Core Stage Separation

Having burned its propellant, the core stage of the Soyuz rocket, also known as the second stage, separates and the third stage’s RD-0124 engine ignites to continue the flight.
Having burned its propellant, the core stage of the Soyuz rocket, also known as the second stage, separates and the third stage’s RD-0124 engine ignites to continue the flight.

T+0:09:24: Soyuz/Fregat Separation

The Soyuz rocket’s third stage releases the Fregat-MT upper stage just shy of orbital velocity.
The Soyuz rocket’s third stage releases the Fregat-MT upper stage just shy of orbital velocity.

T+0:10:24: First Fregat Ignition

The hydrazine-fueled Fregat upper stage ignites to place the Galileo satellites in an elliptical transfer orbit.
The hydrazine-fueled Fregat upper stage ignites to place the Galileo satellites in an elliptical transfer orbit.

T+0:23:32: First Fregat Shutdown

After a 13-minute, 8-second burn, the Fregat upper stage shuts down to begin a 3-hour, 15-minute coast phase.
After a 13-minute, 8-second burn, the Fregat upper stage shuts down to begin a 3-hour, 15-minute coast phase.

T+3:38:35: Second Fregat Ignition

The Fregat main engine ignites to circularize its orbit before deployment of the two Galileo satellites.
The Fregat main engine ignites to circularize its orbit before deployment of the two Galileo satellites.

T+3:42:57: Second Fregat Shutdown

The Fregat main engine shuts down after a 4-minute, 22-second burn to inject the Galileo satellites into a circular orbit at an altitude 23,522 kilometers (14,615 miles) and an inclination of 55.04 degrees.
The Fregat main engine shuts down after a 4-minute, 22-second burn to inject the Galileo satellites into a circular orbit at an altitude 23,522 kilometers (14,615 miles) and an inclination of 57.39 degrees.

T+3:47:57: Galileo Separation

The two Galileo navigation satellites deploy from a dispenser on the Fregat upper stage.
The two Galileo navigation satellites deploy from a dispenser on the Fregat upper stage.

Follow Stephen Clark on Twitter: @StephenClark1.

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