The rocket will orbit an Oblik (Image) spacecraft of Russian design and manufacture, Valeri Abrashkin of the Progress bureau said to Novosti on a previous occasion. He is branch vice-manager at this specialised central R&D bureau, based in Samara on the Volga.
The Oblik satellite was built many years ago, and stayed unlaunched for sheer lack of money. In fact, it is a dummy cargo, with the warranty period long expired. The Oblik, however, has an impressive choice of test gadgetry. Thus, its cutting-edge vibration and temperature gauges will check the performance of updated first- and second-stage engines, said Mr. Abrashkin.
First in a new Soyuz generation, the 2-1A rocket has an enlarged, four metre long, head-end cone, which allows to increase orbited payload by 300 kilograms.
Russia will shortly build a launching pad at the Kourou space centre, French Guiana. It will cater for updated Soyuzes, of the STK make-but not before several successful launches are made from Russian-based pads, and necessary flight records become available, says Valeri Abrashkin.
