 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
New Developments Across Arianespace's Family Of Commercial Launch Vehicles
Paris, France (SPX) Feb 23, 2009 Arianespace's development of its commercial launcher family is gaining new momentum as activity at the Spaceport in French Guiana progresses to support the sustained mission rate for heavy-lift Ariane 5s, as well as to prepare for future introductions of the medium-lift Soyuz and lightweight Vega vehicles. Ariane 5 is being readied for its second mission of 2009 as the Planck and Herschel space science payloads are now undergoing their checkout in French Guiana for an April 16 liftoff to explore the universe's mysteries. In parallel, the Spaceport's new operating base for Soyuz is nearing completion as its launch system is being installed, while the initial service gantry rollout test has been made at the Spaceport's refurbished ELA-1 launch site for Vega. Planck arrived at Cayenne's Rochambeau Airport aboard a chartered An-124 cargo jetliner on the evening of February 18, and was transferred to the Spaceport's S1B clean room to join the Herschel space telescope - which has been in French Guiana since February 12 - for its checkout process. Planck and Herschel will be launched by Ariane 5 on April 16, marking the first mission of its kind performed by Arianespace at the service of the international space science community. The two spacecraft will be deployed in very elliptical orbits, enabling both spacecraft to follow transfer trajectories for their 1.5 million kilometer voyage to the second Lagrange point (L2) of the Sun-Earth system. In parallel, construction of Soyuz' new French Guiana operating site reached a major milestone with the installation start-up for its Russian-developed launch system - which will support and service the vehicle when it is erected for liftoff. The activity began with placement of the multi-segment "support crown" on the site's concrete launch pad, which was then outfitted with the first of two umbilical masts. This initial mast provides fluids and electrical connections for the launcher's Block I third stage, as well as its Fregat upper stage and the vehicle's payload. A second mast, to be installed later, is shorter and services the Soyuz vehicle's Block A core stage. Preparations for the Vega launch site also are moving forward at the Spaceport, where the facility's mobile gantry has performed its initial rollout evaluation. This mobile gantry is part of the infrastructure at the Spaceport's ELA-1 launch site, which had been used in the past for missions with Ariane 1 and 3 vehicles. The original facility is being upgraded and updated, with the new gantry meeting Vega's operational requirements. With this initial rollout test complete, the structure will remain in its operational location for several weeks. This will allow certain launch pad tasks to be finished, including the completion of work on the umbilical mast, along with the installation of mobile access platforms and fluid supply lines. Related Links Arianespace Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Herschel Space Telescope Is Readied For Next Ariane 5
Kourou, Frecnh Guiana (SPX) Feb 18, 2009The European-built Herschel telescope has begun pre-launch processing at the Spaceport in French Guiana as preparations for Arianespace's second Ariane 5 launch of 2009 shift into full gear. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. 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 Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
