Pléiades-HR 1BSoyuz STA/Fregat Arianespace Launch Status Success Sat · Dec 1st, 2012 9:02 PM EST Watch Online Location Soyuz Launch Complex Kourou, French Guiana 151 rockets have launched from Kourou, French Guiana. Rocket Soyuz STA Length: 46.3 meters Diameter: 2.95 meters First Launch: December 17, 2011 The 2.1a version includes conversion from analog to digital flight control system and uprated engines on the booster and the first stage with improved injection systems. The new digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to launch from a fixed rather than angled launch platform and adjust its heading in flight. A digital control system also enables the launch of larger commercial satellites with wider and longer payload fairings such as the ST-type fairing. These fairings introduce too much aerodynamic instability for the old analog system to handle. This stage continues to use the RD-0110 engine. The 2.1a/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-A. The Soyuz STA rocket has been launched a total of 8 times with 8 successful and 0 failed launches. Agency Arianespace Type: Commercial Abbreviation: ASA Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël Founded: 1980 Launchers: Ariane 5 | Vega Country: FRA Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world’s first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America. View Rocket Launch Schedule