Payload unit of the rocket for the Ionosfera-M No. 3 and No. 4 and 18 small satellites launch assembled at Vostochny
VOSTOCHNY, July 18. - The assembly of the space payload unit for the Soyuz-2.1b rocket that will launch the Ionosfera-M No. 3 and No. 4 and 18 more small spacecraft into orbit as a secondary payload under contracts of Glavkosmos (part of Roscosmos) was completed at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The fairing encapsulated the payload unit; the necessary electrical tests were carried out at the cosmodrome’s assembly and testing facility.
17 commercial CubeSats, manufactured in Russia, will be launched from specialized launch containers for the benefit of Russian clients. One more small satellite will be launched for the benefit of a foreign customer.
The payload unit is prepared for transportation to the launch vehicle assembly and testing facility, where the final operation - the general integration of the launch vehicle - will take place before the rocket’s rollout to the launch complex.
Glavkosmos is the main integrator of the works and the launch service provider in the project of launching rideshare payloads.
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Glavkosmos, JSC is a subsidiary of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos. The main task of the company is to promote the achievements of the Russian rocket and space industry to world markets and to manage complex international projects. Throughout its history, the company has successfully fulfilled over 140 international contracts, including the launch of more than 300 spacecraft as a secondary payload.
Since May 2021, Glavkosmos has been the official operator of Roscosmos trademarks.
ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation established in August 2015 to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Russian rocket and space industry. ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of the state policy in space activities and its normative and legal regulations, as well as places orders for the design, production and supply of space equipment and space infrastructure. ROSCOSMOS is also vested with authority to develop international cooperation in space and establish the appropriate environment for applying achievements in space domain for the social and economic development in Russia.