Congrats, Arianespace, on the successful launch of Galileo FOC-5. I'm proud of your nearly flawless record for the past fifteen flights.I just realized that this is the last Soyuz/Galileo launch because the FOC-6, FOC-7 and FOC-8 missions will all be launched on three different Ariane 5 rockets in three years.
Why the change, surely using Ariane 5 is more costly?
Quote from: Star One on 05/25/2016 11:47 amWhy the change, surely using Ariane 5 is more costly?The Galileo constellation is split into three separate orbital planes with different arguments of perigee*. The satellites lifted by Soyuz are all in the 0-degree equatorial plane. The Ariane launches will fill the other two planes (at 120° and 240°). Plane changes require plenty of delta-v, which the ES restartable upper stage will provide.The two GIOVE-A/B forerunner satellites also occupy different planes (~338° and ~215°) but were launched as single launches - and with a lower weight than Galileo - on a Soyuz-Fregat from Baikonur.* for comparison: GLONASS and the Beidou MEO segment also each use three planes, GPS six planes.
Is my assumption correct that the launch profiles are nearly the same, by adjusting the launch time the satellites get into the correct plane?
Quote from: Tobi on 05/24/2016 08:45 pmIs someone able to find out the rocket serial numbers of VS-14 and VS-15 ?VS14: P15000-005VS15: P15000-011
Is someone able to find out the rocket serial numbers of VS-14 and VS-15 ?
Quote from: Jester on 05/25/2016 02:40 amQuote from: Tobi on 05/24/2016 08:45 pmIs someone able to find out the rocket serial numbers of VS-14 and VS-15 ?VS14: P15000-005VS15: P15000-011VS14 What is the serial number of Fregat?Im working to get verification for you of what serials actually flew:
Quote from: Jester on 05/25/2016 02:40 amQuote from: Tobi on 05/24/2016 08:45 pmIs someone able to find out the rocket serial numbers of VS-14 and VS-15 ?VS14: P15000-005VS15: P15000-011VS14 What is the serial number of Fregat?