Final preparations are underway for Soyuz’ first “virtual” flight from the Spaceport

Preparations for the simulated first flight of Soyuz from French Guiana are proceeding on schedule for a “liftoff” this week, confirming the medium-lift vehicle’s readiness to join Arianespace’s launcher family during 2011.

With a fully-assembled Soyuz now on the Spaceport’s launch pad for its historic dry run exercise, mission teams have entered the final phase of preparations – providing a realistic validation of operational procedures from the vehicle’s rollout to the “virtual” liftoff and downrange mission trajectory.