Liftoff of Soyuz with six Globalstar satellites

Soyuz Flight ST26

A Soyuz launch vehicle has lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, initiating a 1-hour, 40-minute flight to orbit Globalstar’s final batch of second-generation satellites in a mission performed by Arianespace’s Starsem affiliate.

The six spacecraft – which weigh approximately 700 kg. each – are to be injected into a circular phasing orbit, inclined 52 degrees.

This is the fourth such Soyuz launch performed from Baikonur Cosmodrome by Starsem for Arianespace – following similar missions in October 2010, July 2011 and December 2011 – and it will complete Globalstar’s plan to orbit 24 second-generation satellites.