[FPSPACE] photo essay on Soyuz pad in Korou

[Chris Jones]

http://englishrussia.com/2011/10/28/service-tower-for-soyuz-st-launch/ is a
photo essay (with a time lapse video) of the construction and use of the Soyuz
launch pad and service building in Korou, along with pictures of the launcher
shipping from Russia. As it mentions, the pad very much resembles the pads in
Russia and Kazakstan, with the main difference being a service building which
can move into place to protect the erect launcher on the pad (and obviously
move out of the way prior to launch).  One difference between operations in
South America rather than in Europe/Asia (BTW, am I correct in thinking Soyuz
is the only satellite launcher to be employed in 3 continents?) is that the
launcher is erected on the pad without its payload, which is added there from
the service building.