 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Kourou, French Guiana (SPX) Apr 05, 2010 The final major infrastructure element for Soyuz' new launch site in French Guiana is taking shape as the large mobile service gantry is assembled for this medium-lift vehicle at the Spaceport. Structural framework for the gantry initially was built up to a height of 27 meters, marking the first assembly phase of this mobile structure, which is now being increased up to 45 meters. The gantry then will receive its external metallic covering, and also be outfitted with the internal movable work platforms that provide access to Soyuz at various levels, along with support equipment. Leading the gantry's construction is Rheinmetall Italy, which is being assisted by KBOM General Engineering Design Bureau and MIR - two of the Russian companies involved in developing the new Soyuz launch site. This gantry is one of the key differences for Soyuz' infrastructure at the Spaceport, which otherwise is nearly identical to the workhorse vehicle's long-existing launch sites at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. It will allow for vertical installation of payloads atop the launch vehicle - which is typical in Western operations, rather than the horizontal integration procedures traditionally used in Soyuz operations from the two Cosmodromes. The gantry also provides a controlled environment for the launcher, and enables customer access to the payload when required prior to final countdown. Buildup of the gantry is taking place over a dual rail track system, on which the gantry will move as it transits the 80-meter distance from its roll-back position to the launch pad for payload integration. The gantry is relatively lightweight for a structure of this type - weighing approximately 800 metric tons.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Arianespace Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Ariane 5's Launch With ASTRA 3B And COMSATBw-2 Is PostponedKourou, French Guiana (SPX) Mar 29, 2010 The year-opening Ariane 5 mission was delayed after an anomaly occurred in a launcher subsystem during final countdown operations. A decision was made by Arianespace to replace this part, resulting in the postponement for several days. Both the Ariane 5 and its mixed civilian and military telecommunications satellite payload of ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 have been placed in stand-by mod ... 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