Roscosmos specialists have begun assembling the "Soyuz-2.1b" launch vehicle at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. In the workshop, the side boosters of the first stage are being docked with the central booster of the second stage, forming the so-called "package" of the rocket.
After the mechanical assembly is completed, pneumatic tests of the propulsion systems and an autonomous check of the onboard measurement system are planned.
At the same time, the "Fregat" upper stage has been refueled with propellant and compressed gases, and the secondary satellites are undergoing final pre-launch preparations. The main payload of the mission will consist of two "Aist-2T" spacecraft, developed for optical-electronic remote sensing of the Earth.
"Soyuz-2.1b" uses a modernized third-stage propulsion system — RD-0124, which provides increased accuracy in delivering the payload. The rocket is equipped with a digital control system, which allows flexible adjustment of the flight trajectory and placing spacecraft into orbits with different inclinations. The launch mass of the LV is about 312 tons, and the maximum orbital payload is up to 8.2 tons to low Earth orbit.
The launch of the "Soyuz-2.1b" launch vehicle with two "Aist-2T" satellites and secondary spacecraft is scheduled for December 20, 2025, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
It is worth recalling that after the launch of the "Soyuz-2.1a" rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, damage was detected to a number of launch pad elements.
