LAUNCH MISSION
RFSA Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M MKA Kinosputnik, KOEN and others
Launch Pad
Cosmodrome Site 1S
Description
Share-ride of multiple satellites, including dual-use optical Earth observation satellites and drone-guiding satellites: * MKA Kinosputnik * KOEN, KA MT-LAB * NPO Kaisant 6U cubesat with a Germes modem * NPO Kaisant 16U cubesat with Gonets modems
Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M
Rocket Description
The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle.