In 2016 Progress rocket and space centre will start manufacturing Soyuz-2.1b boosters against Arianespace order, – Centre General Designer deputy Alexander Storozh said.

According to him Arianespace and Progress Centre concluded a contract for the launch of 21 Soyuz-2.1b boosters in the period from 2017 to 2019. Upon completion of all calculations necessary metal parts will be purchased.

“The contract stipulates manufacturing, delivery and prelaunch preparations of the boosters. The specialists also have to accomplish some works upon manufacturing, e.g. install adapters, necessary equipment and prepare all separation systems. After that there are calculations to conduct since flight profile for launch from Baikonur spaceport differs from the one for launch from Kourou (French Guiana) due to various location and climate conditions”, – Storozh said.

It was reported earlier that Roscosmos signed contract with French Arianespace and British Oneweb for 21 commercial launches of 672 satellites with the help of Soyuz boosters from Kourou (French Guiana) and Baikonur.  If the project will be implemented successfully the contract stipulates an option for at leats 5 more Soyuz launches after 2020.

Soyuz boosters are designed and manufactured by Progress Rocket and Space Centre (Samara),one of the world leaders in the field of  boosters and space devices manufacturing.