Launch Vehicle Arrives at Europe’s Spaceport Onboard Volga-Dnepr IL-76TD-90VD Freighter

Volga-Dnepr Airlines has delivered the third stage of the Soyuz-ST launch vehicle to Europe’s Spaceport in Cayenne.

Its transportation from Samara in Russia to French Guiana is in readiness for the vehicle to launch the U.S. SES-15 satellite into orbit in early April for SES, one of the world’s leading satellite communications companies.

Progress Space Rocket Centre, which commissioned the flight, is one of Volga-Dnepr’s key customers in the Russian aerospace industry. Having initially approached the airline earlier this year to discuss the delivery of the launch vehicle, Volga-Dnepr’s Load Planning Centre produced a design of the special cradle to be used to lift the launch vehicle into the IL-76TD-90VD freighter and a step-by-step guide to the loading procedures being implemented for its transportation.

The expertise of Volga-Dnepr’s Load Planning specialists, and the detailed project documentation they produced, demonstrated the airline’s ability to ensure a safe delivery. The routing of the flight was also important given the fragile nature of the cargo, and was chosen to avoid the need for multiple landings en route.

“For last 26 years Volga-Dnepr has earned a strong reputation with global satellite manufacturers for our knowledge and professionalism in moving very sensitive satellite technology. They have great confidence in our ability to protect the integrity of their shipments, which is achieved through a high level of cooperation by the Volga-Dnepr team and working closely with our customers. We were delighted that the Progress Space Rocket Centre expressed their gratitude to us for another secure and timely performance,” - stated Sergey Lenivin, Key Account Manager at Volga-Dnepr.