Galileo launch pad

Soyuz VS01, the first Soyuz flight from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, was transferred to the launch zone on 14 October 2011.

The vehicle was transferred from the preparation building to the launch zone and erected into the vertical position. The mobile gantry was then rolled out to the pad and the vehicle’s upper composite, comprising the Fregat upper stage, payload and fairing, was then hoisted on top of the launcher.

Soyuz VS01 will lift off on 20 October 2011. The legendary Russian rocket will carry the first two satellites of Europe’s Galileo navigation system into orbit.

For more information, please visit :

www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Galileo_IOV/