Improved Soyuz 2-1a Payload Fairing Ready For Flight

Arianespace announced Monday its Soyuz launcher's enlarged payload fairing is ready for its July 17 flight, in which it is scheduled to launch the MetOp-A meteorological satellite from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

By Energy Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published July 3, 2006

The new fairing is part of the Soyuz 2-1a upgrade program for Russia's workhorse vehicle, which will join the Arianespace launcher family at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in 2008, the company said in a news release.

The Soyuz 2-1a's upcoming mission with MetOp-A will be performed under the auspices of Arianespace's Starsem affiliate.

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Energy Daily Editorial Team

The Energy Daily Editorial Team produces content across our two editorial pillars: space industry news and Mind & Meaning. We cover launches, missions, satellites, defense, and the technology of getting humans to space, alongside the psychology of ambition, isolation, and meaning under extremes. Articles reflect our team's collective editorial process, source verification, drafting, technical review, and editing, rather than a single writer's work. Space Daily takes editorial responsibility for content under this byline. For more on how we work, see our editorial policy.