Question 1

What rocket is launching CAS500-1 & rideshare?

Accepted Answer

CAS500-1 & rideshare is launching on the Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M.

Question 2

Who is launching CAS500-1 & rideshare?

Accepted Answer

CAS500-1 & rideshare is being launched by GK Launch Services, a commercial launch provider founded in 2017.

Question 3

Where is CAS500-1 & rideshare launching from?

Accepted Answer

CAS500-1 & rideshare is launching from 31/6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Question 4

What orbit is CAS500-1 & rideshare heading to?

Accepted Answer

CAS500-1 & rideshare is heading to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Question 5

Is the Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M reusable?

Accepted Answer

No — the Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M is an expendable launch vehicle.

Question 6

How many times has the Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M flown?

Accepted Answer

The Soyuz 2.1a Fregat-M has launched 20 times to date, with 19 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the CAS500-1 & rideshare mission?

Accepted Answer

CAS500-1 is the first of two South Korean Earth observation satellites. These spacecraft feature the AEISS-C imaging system with a ground resolution of 0.5 m in panchromatic mode and 2 m in color mode.

More than a dozen other satellites are included as secondary payloads, among them being the first spacecraft by the Catalan Space Agency.

Question 8

Where is the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur Cosmodrome is in Kazakhstan and is the world's first and largest operational spaceport, founded in 1955. Russia's Roscosmos operates it on territory leased from Kazakhstan under an agreement running to 2050.

Question 9

What launches from Baikonur?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur remains a major hub for Russian crewed and uncrewed missions, with Soyuz rockets flying from active pads such as Site 31/6. The historic 'Gagarin's Start' (Site 1/5) has been retired from regular service.

Question 10

Why is Baikonur historically important?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur launched both the first satellite, Sputnik 1 in 1957, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1 in 1961 — the two events that opened the Space Age.

Question 11

Can you visit the Baikonur Cosmodrome?

Accepted Answer

Baikonur is a restricted military and space facility in a remote part of Kazakhstan, with no casual public viewing. Visits are possible only through pre-arranged official or specialist tours with advance permits, usually timed around a launch.

CAS500-1 & rideshare

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

31/6

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions