Soyuz-2 is a modernised version of the Soviet Soyuz rocket. In its basic form, it is a three-stage launch vehicle for placing payloads into low Earth orbit. Compared to the previous versions of the Soyuz, the first-stage boosters and two core stages feature uprated engines with improved injection systems. Digital flight control and telemetry systems allow the rocket to be launched from a fixed launch platform, whereas the launch platforms for earlier Soyuz rockets had to be rotated as the rocket could not perform a roll to change its heading in flight.
A MetOp spacecraft ready for the launch atop a Soyuz-2.1a rocket.
Soyuz-2.1b (2018)
Soyuz is a family of expendable Russian and Soviet carrier rockets developed by OKB-1 and manufactured by Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, Russia. The Soyuz is the rocket with the most launches in the history of spaceflight.
A Soyuz-FG rocket carrying the Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on 18 September 2006.
Soyuz rocket engines (Soyuz TMA-5)
Soyuz-FG erected at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad 1/5 Gagarin's Start (Soyuz TMA-13, October 2008).
Soyuz 2 ready to launch (2007)