The Soyouz in Guyana project: status and perspectives

Paper number

IAC-06-D2.2.05

Author

Mr. Jean-Marc Astorg, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Jean-Pierre Haignere, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France

Coauthor

Prof. Igor Barmin, Design Bureau of General Machine-Building (KBOM), Russia

Year

2006

Abstract

The decision to build a launch pad in French Guyana for the Russian Soyouz launcher was taken in May 2004 through an ESA resolution and the  corresponding program was subscribed by six ESA Members (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland) and by ARIANESPACE in December 2004. ESA, as overall program responsible,  has designated the CNES Launcher Directorate as System Architect in charge of the overall  design of the Soyouz in Guyana launch system. CNES is also in charge in the development phase, of contracting to European companies and to ARIANESPACE for the launch pad construction and for Soyouz launcher adaptations. ARIANESPACE is the future commercial operator of Soyouz in Guyana and is also responsible in the development phase of the interface with Russian partners (ROSKOSMOS, TS SKB, KBOM and NPO Lavochkine).  ROSKOSMOS is in charge of coordinating the Russian activities.
The construction of the launch pad has effectively began in January 2005 by civil work activities. The launch zone is one of the first to be realized. The construction of the huge launcher exhaust duct will be done in 2006, while the first Russian launcher ground equipments will  arrive in Guyana in mid- 2007. The launcher adaptations for environment, safety and interfaces, have been studied in detail and are under development.
This paper presents the main design choices which have been retained for the launcher adaptation (performance increase, adaptation to safety regulations) and for the launch base. An extensive description is made of the different buildings and installations which compose the Soyuz launch pad and the differences from the existing ones in Russia. A description of the operational scenario is also given. The paper also presents the progress of the launch pad construction.
Finally, a presentation of the remaining development milestones is made until the first launch foreseen at the end  of 2008. 

Abstract document

IAC-06-D2.2.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D2.2.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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