At the Baikonur cosmodrome, intensive work continues on preparations for the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle with the Fregat upper stage, the CAS500-1 spacecraft and a cluster of payloads from 18 countries of the world. Its launch from the launch complex of the site No. 31 (“Vostok”) is scheduled for the morning of March 20, 2021.
In accordance with the pre-launch schedule of work in the assembly and testing building of the cosmodrome, specialists from subsidiaries of the State Corporation Roscosmos have completed the installation of the nose fairing flaps for assembly from the Fregat upper stage and a cluster of 38 spacecraft. This operation is the final one in the assembly of the space warhead.
Upon completion of the fairing installation, the warhead was reloaded onto the transport trolley, and after all the electrical connections between the upper stage and spacecraft were tested, it will be transported to site No. 31 of the cosmodrome for general assembly with the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle.
The launch operator is Glavkosmos Launch Services (part of the Roscosmos State Corporation).