Name: EgyptSat-A — Soyuz 2.1b Fregat-M
Start: 2019-02-21T16:47:14Z
End: 2019-02-21T16:47:14Z
Location: 31/6

Question 1

What rocket is launching EgyptSat-A?

Accepted Answer

EgyptSat-A is launching on the Soyuz 2.1b Fregat-M.

Question 2

Who is launching EgyptSat-A?

Accepted Answer

EgyptSat-A is being launched by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), a government launch provider founded in 1992.

Question 3

Where is EgyptSat-A launching from?

Accepted Answer

EgyptSat-A is launching from 31/6 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.

Question 4

What orbit is EgyptSat-A heading to?

Accepted Answer

EgyptSat-A is heading to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Question 5

Is the Soyuz 2.1b Fregat-M reusable?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The Soyuz 2.1b Fregat-M has launched 35 times to date, with 35 successful flights.

Question 7

What is the EgyptSat-A mission?

Accepted Answer

EgyptSat-A (MisrSat A) is Egypt's third Earth remote-sounding satellite. The satellite is jointly built by Egypt's National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences together with RKK Energiya in Russia. The imaging payload was developed by OAO Peleng and NIRUP Geoinformatsionnye Sistemy in Belarus.

The satellite is an improved version of EgyptSat 2 and is also based on RKK Energiya's 559GK bus, which inherits technologies from their USP platform. The satellite features SPD-70 electric engines using Xenon. It features an improved opto-electronic system and onboard control system, high-speed on-board radio link and solar cells with increased efficiency.

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.

EgyptSat-A

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

31/6

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions