Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | Ionosfera-M 1 & 2

Russian Space Forces | Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat | Glonass-K1 No. 18

Russian Space Forces is scheduled to launch a Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat rocket as part of the Glonass-K1 No. 18 mission. The launch is scheduled on 03/31/2024 00:00 UTC for the Navigation mission launching from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation. The status of the launch is Date/Time TBD. Don’t miss this exciting rocket launch! Watch the launch video of the Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat and experience the excitement for yourself.

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Mission: Glonass-K1 No. 18

Glonass-K are the third generation of satellite design for GLONASS satellite navigation system. GLONASS is a Russian space-based navigation system comparable to the similar GPS and Galileo systems. This generation improves on accuracy, power consumption and design life. Each satellite is unpressurized and weighs 935 kg, and has an operational lifetime of 10 years.

Rocket: Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat

Soyuz-2, GRAU index 14A14, is the collective designation for the 21st-century version of the Russian Soyuz rocket. In its basic form, it is a three-stage carrier rocket for placing payloads into low Earth orbit. The first-stage boosters and two core stages feature uprated engines with improved injection systems, compared to the previous versions of the Soyuz. Digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to be launched from a fixed launch platform, whereas the launch platforms for earlier Soyuz rockets had to be rotated as the rocket could not perform a roll to change its heading in flight.

The Soyuz 2.1b represents the latest development stage of the proven rocket.

It uses the new RD-0124 engines in the first three stages, coupled with an improved injection system that significantly boosts the performance of the Soyuz.
Furthermore, she wears a new, digital startup control system.
This will allow the Soyuz 2.1b to carry around 1.2 tonnes more payload into low earth orbit compared to its predecessor.

Agency: Russian Space Forces

The Russian Space Forces are a branch of the Russian Aerospace Forces, that provides aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Russia. Having been reestablished following August 1, 2015 merger between the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces after a 2011 dissolving of the branch. The Russian Space Forces were originally formed on August 10, 1992 and the creation of the Russian Armed Forces.

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