SoyuzFregat

Soyuz-Fregat was a European launch system composed of a Soyuz rocket and a Fregat upper stage. Developed by Arianespace, it was designed to provide increased performance for launching payloads into various orbits, including geostationary transfer orbits and low Earth orbits. The Soyuz rocket, a Russian launch vehicle with a long history of reliability, provided the first two stages. The Fregat upper stage, developed by NPO Lavochkin in Russia, offered significant flexibility for in-orbit maneuvers and precise payload insertion.

The combination of the robust Soyuz booster and the agile Fregat upper stage allowed Soyuz-Fregat to launch heavier payloads or place payloads into more demanding orbits compared to the standard Soyuz configuration. This made it an attractive option for commercial satellite launches and scientific missions. The Fregat stage's ability to perform multiple engine burns enabled it to deliver payloads to their final destinations with high accuracy.

Soyuz-Fregat saw its first launch in 2007. Throughout its operational life, it successfully launched a variety of payloads for both commercial and governmental customers, including satellites for telecommunications, Earth observation, and space science. The system was operated from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, leveraging its equatorial launch site for improved performance. While a capable and reliable launcher, its operational lifespan was relatively short as Arianespace continued to develop and introduce newer launch systems.