 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kourou, French Guiana (SPX) Feb 17, 2011 The first Vega has been assembled at the Spaceport, marking a key milestone in preparations for the introduction of this lightweight vehicle in Arianespace's launcher family. Build-up of the Vega was competed with the installation of its payload fairing, which topped off the vehicle inside the mobile gantry at the Spaceport's ZLV launch facility. This is a representative launcher that is being used for combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure. It consists of inert first, second and third stages, the bi-propellant Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM), and the flight-worthy payload fairing that ultimately will be used for a future Vega mission. The completed Vega stands approximately 30 meters tall, and is located on the launch table of the refurbished Spaceport facility that previously was used for the first member of Europe's successful Ariane family: the cornerstone Ariane 1 vehicle. Vega is tailored to carry the growing number of small scientific spacecraft and other lighter-weight payloads under development or planned worldwide. Its target payload lift capability is 1,500 kg. on missions to a 700-km. circular orbit. Industrial prime contractor for Vega is ELV S.p.A. - a Colleferro, Italy-based company created in December 2000 to manage the launch vehicle's development and production.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links - Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
Iran Plans To Build Second SpaceportTehran, Iran (SPX) Dec 14, 2010 Iran plans to construct its second spaceport, Communications and Information Technology Minister Reza Taqipour said on Sunday. "At present, there is only one space launch base in the country... but there are some geographical limitations (in regard to launching satellites and missiles)," Taqipour told the Mehr News Agency. Thus, Iran has carried out a feasibility study on the constru ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook
