ESA Operations @esaoperations 30s31 seconds ago#Rockot confirm exact #Sentinel3 launch time was 17:57:40 UTC--Rui says "That's not the EXACT launch time!"
I apologize for the low quality video but since I was using a GoPro I had to zoom it to make it evident. Watch it in 1080p full screen and look towards the center. This is the second stage reentry as shot from Thule AB, Greenland We almost were about to call it quits when it lit up. It was so much better to the naked eye. Nice smoke trail that isn't very evident in the video.
Why was this payload launched on a Rokot, as it's not like ESA is short of launchers of various different classes?
Quote from: Star One on 02/17/2016 12:12 pmWhy was this payload launched on a Rokot, as it's not like ESA is short of launchers of various different classes?They have often launched LEO satellites on small russian launchers in the past. Before Vega it made more sense I guess.Even now, I don't think there is any requirement for ESA projets to launch on European launchers, so they might go for the cheaper option to meet budget constraints (so not Vega...). There might also be launcher manifest availability issues.This year, both Sentinel 5p and Sentinel 2B are planned to be launched on Rokot.