The 27-March medium-lift Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana is now complete following the integration of its “upper composite”, which consists of two Galileo satellites, their protective payload fairing and the Fregat upper stage.

This activity was performed at the Spaceport’s ELS launch complex. It began with the upper composite’s transfer on 24-March from the S3B payload preparation facility to the launch pad on a special transporter, and was followed by its hoisting to the upper level of a purpose-built mobile gantry, which provides a protected environment for the vertical installation atop Soyuz.

Upper composite’s transfer to ELS

Upper composite hoisted inside the mobile gantry

Upper composite integrated with Soyuz

Final checkout of the completed launch vehicle is now underway, leading up to the Arianespace liftoff that is planned tomorrow, 27-March at precisely 18:46:18 local time in French Guiana (22:46:18 CET).