Soyuz is shown on the Spaceport's launch pad prior to the “dry run” simulated flight. Visible behind it is the mobile service gantry, which is being rolled back to its parked position.
This "OK to go" occurred with the successful conclusion of today's launch readiness review, which was held in Arianespace's operations facility at the Spaceport. Following procedures similar to those used prior to every Ariane flight, the review validated the Soyuz launcher's "go" status, along with the readiness of its launch site, the Spaceport's infrastructure and the telemetry network system. "We are fully within the planning for this dry run exercise, with our major milestones being performed on schedule — including today's launch readiness review," said Bruno Gerard, Arianespace's project head for Soyuz at the Spaceport. "This continues to underscore the launcher's maturity as we move toward its maiden flight later this year."
The review meeting, conducted in the main conference room of Arianespace's Galilee office complex at the Spaceport, brought together European and Russian representatives for this in-depth mission readiness overview, the first ever performed for Soyuz in French Guiana. In parallel with this step, vehicles used for fueling the Soyuz began moving to the launch pad for a start-up of fueling procedure validations with the launcher. The current exercise with Soyuz, which opened with its April 29 rollout to the launch zone in the Spaceport's northern sector - does not involve actual fueling, which is why these operations have been given the "dry run" designation. The first of two final countdowns will be performed tomorrow, May 4, including the mobile service tower's 80-meter rollback from the launch pad to its parking position at 1 hr. 30 min. before scheduled liftoff. his is to provide the initial view of a completely-assembled Soyuz at the Spaceport. It will be followed by a planned halt in the countdown, allowing the validation of procedures for a launch-day interruption scenario. A new countdown will be performed on May 5, continuing through the Soyuz' simulated liftoff and downrange mission trajectory.
The “dry run” simulated flight of Soyuz was a highly realistic exercise that included operational staffing of the Spaceport’s Jupiter mission control room (at left) and the Soyuz launch center (at right).