Soyuz at Guiana Space center - Timelapse

Final testing of the Soyuz launch site at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana was completed in May with a simulated launch campaign. It ensured that the Soyuz and the new facilities work together perfectly, while allowing the teams to train under realistic launch conditions. It also validated all the procedures during the final phase before launch.

This time-lapse shows the vehicle transfer from the preparation building to the launch zone. It is then raised into its vertical launch position. The mobile gantry is rolled out to the pad and the vehicle's upper composite, comprising the Fregat upper stage and payload fairing, is hoisted on top of the launcher.

Credit: ESA