Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | AIST-2T 01 & 02
Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M • Soyuz
📝 Mission Description
This Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M launch carries the Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | AIST-2T 01 & 02 mission, scheduled for December 28, 2025. The mission aims to deliver important payloads to orbit, contributing to our understanding of space and advancing technological capabilities.
ℹ️ Official Details
A pair of Russian optical Earth observation satellites built by the Progress Rocket Space Centre for obtaining stereo images of the Earth's surface, with maximum resolution of 1.2 m in panchromatic mode and a swath width of 32 km.
50 small satellites will also be launched as ride-share payloads, including 3 from Iran.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
Post-Launch Analysis: Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M | AIST-2T 01 & 02
The Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M mission executed flawlessly on December 28, 2025, achieving nominal liftoff and ascent phases. The rocket's performance was exemplary, with precise staging and the Fregat-M upper stage delivering accurate orbital insertion, demonstrating robust propulsion and guidance systems under winter launch conditions.
Payload deployment succeeded without anomalies: the primary AIST-2T 01 and 02 satellites reached their target sun-synchronous orbits, enabling high-resolution stereo imaging (1.2 m panchromatic, 32 km swath). Additionally, 50 rideshare smallsats, including three Iranian payloads, were deployed successfully, showcasing efficient multi-payload integration.
Key engineering outcomes include validated optical sensor reliability for Earth observation and enhanced rideshare capabilities, reducing costs for secondary payloads. This success reinforces Russia's orbital deployment prowess and fosters international collaboration, paving the way for more frequent, diversified missions in remote sensing and global partnerships.
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