Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | Ionosfera-M 3 & 4
Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M • Soyuz
📝 Mission Description
Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M Launch: Advancing Ionospheric Research with Ionosfera-M 3 & 4
On July 25, 2025, Russia's space agency Roscosmos is set to launch the Soyuz 2.1b rocket equipped with a Fregat-M upper stage, carrying the Ionosfera-M 3 and 4 satellites. This mission marks a significant step in the Ionozond project, aimed at deepening our understanding of Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere. As part of a planned constellation of four satellites, Ionosfera-M 3 and 4 will join their predecessors in sun-synchronous orbits at approximately 800 kilometers altitude, divided into two orbital planes with two satellites each. This configuration ensures comprehensive global coverage, allowing for real-time monitoring of atmospheric phenomena that influence satellite communications, navigation systems, and space weather forecasting.
The primary objectives of the Ionosfera mission revolve around studying the ionosphere's plasma dynamics, magnetic field interactions, and radiation environments. These satellites are equipped with an array of sophisticated instruments designed to collect multifaceted data. Key payloads include the SPER/1 Plasma and Energy Radiation Spectrometer for analyzing charged particle distributions, the SG/1 Gamma-ray Spectrometer to detect high-energy emissions, and the GALS/1 Galactic Cosmic Ray Spectrometer for measuring cosmic radiation influx. The LAERTES On-board Ionosonde will probe ionospheric layers using radio waves, while the NBK/2 Low-Frequency Wave Complex captures electromagnetic fluctuations. Additional tools like the ESEP Ionospheric Plasma Energy Spectrometer, Ozonometer-TM for ozone measurements, MayaK radio transmitters for signal propagation studies, and the PES GPS-GLONASS device for precise positioning enhance the satellites' capabilities. Together, these instruments enable detailed investigations into space weather events, such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt global infrastructure. By providing high-resolution data, the constellation could improve predictive models, benefiting sectors from aviation to telecommunications.
The Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M launch vehicle represents a reliable workhorse in Russia's orbital fleet. The Soyuz 2.1b is a three-stage rocket standing about 46 meters tall, with a liftoff mass of around 313 tons. It uses kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants in its core and booster stages, delivering a payload capacity of up to 7,020 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The Fregat-M upper stage, powered by stor
ℹ️ Official Details
Ionosfera is a constellation of four ionospheric and magnetospheric research satellites developed by for Roscosmos for the project Ionozond.
The satellites will operate on circular sun-synchronous orbits (SSO), at altitude of about 800 km and located in two orbital planes of two satellites each.
The following science instruments are carried on the satellites:
* SPER/1 Plasma and energy radiation spectrometer
* SG/1 Gamma-ray spectrometer
* GALS/1 Galactic cosmic ray spectrometer / 1
* LAERTES On-board Ionosonde
* NBK/2 Low-frequency wave complex
* ESEP Ionospheric plasma energy spectrometer
* Ozonometer-TM Ozonometer
* MayaK On-board radio transmitters
* PES GPS-GLONASS device
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M launch of Ionosfera-M 3 & 4 on July 25, 2025, achieved a successful orbital insertion and payload deployment. The rocket performed flawlessly, delivering the two ionospheric and magnetospheric research satellites into their targeted circular sun-synchronous orbits at an altitude of approximately 800 km. Both satellites were placed in their designated orbital plane, ensuring optimal constellation configuration for the Ionozond project under Roscosmos. Equipped with advanced instruments like the SPER/1 Plasma Spectrometer and LAERTES On-board Ionosonde, the satellites are poised to deliver critical data on Earth’s ionosphere and magnetosphere. Key engineering outcomes include precise orbital positioning and robust payload functionality post-deployment. This success validates the reliability of the Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M system and strengthens confidence in future missions, potentially expanding the Ionosfera constellation or supporting similar scientific endeavors in space research.