Question 1

What rocket is launching Khayyam & rideshare?

Accepted Answer

Khayyam & rideshare is launching on the Soyuz 2.1b Fregat-M.

Question 2

Who is launching Khayyam & rideshare?

Accepted Answer

Khayyam & rideshare is being launched by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), a government launch provider founded in 1992.

Question 3

Where is Khayyam & rideshare launching from?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

What orbit is Khayyam & rideshare heading to?

Accepted Answer

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

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 Khayyam & rideshare mission?

Accepted Answer

Khayyam, also known as Project 505, is a Russian built Earth observation satellite for Iran. The satellite is built by VNIIEM and NPK Barl on a currently unidentified satellite bus, with resolution reaching < 1 m.

16 Russian cubesats from various institutions/universities are also arranged for launch as secondary payload by Aerospace Capital.

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.

Khayyam & rideshare

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

31/6

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Frequently asked questions