https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/Quote<snip>Early 2022 • Vega C • LARES 2Launch time: TBDLaunch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
<snip>Early 2022 • Vega C • LARES 2Launch time: TBDLaunch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
According to this press release, the maiden flight of Vega-C is expected by the first quarter of 2022https://www.avio.com/press-release/signed-euro-1188-million-contract-esa-development-vegaQuoteThis contract marks the beginning of a new phase in the development of Vega E (Evolution), an improved and even more powerful version of Vega C, whose Maiden Flight is expected by the first quarter of 2022.
This contract marks the beginning of a new phase in the development of Vega E (Evolution), an improved and even more powerful version of Vega C, whose Maiden Flight is expected by the first quarter of 2022.
According to the SAB SSMS rideshare option list, the Vega-C maiden flight isn't VV21.VV21, Vega with Vampire 1194 rideshare structure. Q1 2022 to a non SSO orbit, payloads to 620km LTDN 17:30.
LARES2 (acronym for Laser RElativity Satellite #2) is the second satellite of the LARES “group. Its main purpose is the precise measurement of the frame-dragging effect of inertial frames, generated by mass-energy currents such as the rotation of a body with mass, as provided for by the theory of general relativity.Compared to its precursor LAGEOS and LARES missions, the main scientific purpose of the LARES 2 mission is to significantly increase the accuracy of the frame-dragging measurement (also known as Lense-Thirring effect) in a satellite’s orbit around the Earth, as well as the measurement of the Earth’s gravitomagnetic field, with an accuracy of few parts per thousand.The characterization of the gravitomagnetic field and the concept of frame-dragging are, in fact, two cornerstones of Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Such unprecedented level of accuracy will be essential, both to improve the limits of some fundamental physics concepts, such as those relating to the theory of strings, and to model the orbital effects generated by the collision of rotating black holes, of the same type as those observed by the LIGO interferometers. Finally, the LARES2 mission will also allow to conduct some new fundamental physics experiments and will provide important estimates in the field of space geodesy and geodynamics.
The LARES2 System, developed by OHB Italia under the ASI (Italian Space Agency) flag, will be the payload of VEGA C launcher qualification flight scheduled within the end of the current year 2021.The most important part of the payload is the LAser RElativity Satellite 2, known as LARES2, a passive satellite, composed of a high density nickel alloy sphere of 424 mm (diameter) and weighing about 300 kg, on which 303 retroreflectors are installed. It will be placed in orbit at an altitude of about 6.000 km.The main purpose of the satellite is to allow the measurement of an orbital disturbance, predicted by general relativity theory, called “Frame-Dragging” or “Lense Thirring” effect, which foresees that a spinning massive body, like a planet, exert a drag on the spacetime, modifying its satellite orbits.The orbital position of LARES2 will be tracked by laser pulses emitted from ground stations. They will hit the satellite and consequently the retroreflectors will send the signal back, allowing the station to measure the exact position.A fundamental element of the LARES 2 System is the retaining mechanism assembly that keeps the spheric satellite locked during launch and releases it once it has arrived in orbit. This is a complex and non-conventional device clamping the 300 kg satellite when subjected to the high launch accelerations, without using standard fixation elements, as bolted junctions.
On the occasion of the launch, along with LARES2 as main payload, six CubeSats selected by the European Space Agency and manufactured by European universities and research centres will be placed in the same orbit. These include Astrobio (manufactured by the INAF and the School of Aerospace Engineering) and GreenCube (manufactured by the University of Rome La Sapienza), whose development has also been promoted and developed by the ASI.
A micro-garden 6000 km from Earth to grow fresh vegetables for future space missions. GREENCUBE[1], designed by an all-Italian scientific team, for the first time will be aboard a mini-satellite to be launched during the inaugural flight of VEGA-C, the official carrier of the European Space Agency (ESA)The prototype, developed by ENEA, University of Naples Federico II and University of Rome La Sapienza as coordinator and holder of an agreement with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), measures 30 x 10 x 10 cm[2] and is based on a closed-cycle hydroponic system guaranteeing a complete 20-day testing growth cycle of micro-vegetables, selected from those best suited to withstand extreme extraterrestrial conditions.
AstroBio CubeSat (ABCS) is a 3U CubeSat (100×100×340 mm) selected by European Space Agency (ESA) to be launched on fall 2020 with the Vega C qualification maiden flight, as piggy back of the ASI LARES2 satellite. ABCS will be deployed in an approximately circular orbit at 5900 km altitude and 70° of inclination spending a significant amount of the orbital period within the harsh internal Van Allen belt, close to its maximum. ABCS will host a laboratory payload based on an innovative lab-on chip technology suitable for research in astrobiology. The objective is to test in space environment a highly integrated laboratory using immunoassay techniques exploiting chemiluminescence detection.
The Maiden Flight of Vega C is expected by March 2022.
Latest Vega launch paves way for Vega-C16/11/2021<snip>Today’s mission will be followed by Vega’s successor, Vega-C, which will take its first flight in 2022. This starts the transition to Vega-C where for a period, both vehicles will be used.<snip>https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Vega/Latest_Vega_launch_paves_way_for_Vega-C
The next Vega launch will be the debut flight of an upgraded version of the rocket called the Vega C, with more powerful first and second stage motors, and a liquid-fueled fourth stage with more fuel capacity. The Vega C also has a larger payload shroud to expand the volume available for satellite passengers.The Vega C’s inaugural launch is scheduled no earlier than April from French Guiana. Teams at the spaceport will spend the next couple months completing modifications to the launch pad’s mobile gantry to accommodate the larger rocket.“This is the latest Vega success before we welcome Vega C and new mission opportunities through increased performance and competitiveness,” said Renato Lafranconi, Vega program manager at the European Space Agency. “ESA will oversee this transition, build on the accomplishments of Vega and prepare future adaptations for a Vega E suitable for a rapidly evolving and competitive market, to continue guaranteed access to space for Europe.”
Another super special arrival & delivery @EuropeSpacePort Can you guess what's inside #MNColibri?Full details to follow early next week on http://esa.int/sts
https://www.avio.com/news-events/esa-and-avio-signed-contract-advance-vega-c-competitivenessQuoteESA’s Vega-C launch vehicle will fly in the second quarter of 2022 ...[dated Dec 16]
ESA’s Vega-C launch vehicle will fly in the second quarter of 2022 ...[dated Dec 16]
Cross-post:Quote from: bolun on 12/16/2021 10:29 amhttps://www.avio.com/news-events/esa-and-avio-signed-contract-advance-vega-c-competitivenessQuoteESA’s Vega-C launch vehicle will fly in the second quarter of 2022 ...[dated Dec 16]
Inaugural rocket's shipment process is starting:https://twitter.com/Avio_Group/status/1462808055024869384
https://www.midilibre.fr/2022/01/02/labecedaire-de-ce-qui-nous-attend-a-montpellier-cette-annee-2022-10023040.phpGoogle translate:QuoteNanoThe Montpellier University Space Center, Van Halen Foundation, will put the finishing touches on the Robusta-3A Méditerranée nano satellite, which will be tasked with anticipating Cévennes episodes through meteorological records. The small craft, the size of three Rubik's cubes in a row, could be sent into orbit in 2023.Two nano satellites “made in Montpellier” will take off this year aboard Vega C, from the Guyanese space center in Kourou. They are called Robusta MTCube 2 and Celesta and are tasked with different analyzes on the memories for the first and the radiative environment in low orbit for the second.
NanoThe Montpellier University Space Center, Van Halen Foundation, will put the finishing touches on the Robusta-3A Méditerranée nano satellite, which will be tasked with anticipating Cévennes episodes through meteorological records. The small craft, the size of three Rubik's cubes in a row, could be sent into orbit in 2023.Two nano satellites “made in Montpellier” will take off this year aboard Vega C, from the Guyanese space center in Kourou. They are called Robusta MTCube 2 and Celesta and are tasked with different analyzes on the memories for the first and the radiative environment in low orbit for the second.
Vega C Mayden Flight May 2022
Avio@Avio_Group#InsideVegaThe journey of #VegaC towards its maiden flight continues: few days ago, its solid propellant motor P120C was activated and transferred from Regulus to @EuropeSpacePort EUP/K facilities ahead of flight #VV21 (#VVC1)
I haven't seen any reports on Volga-Dnepr being banned from transporting satellite but the closure of EU airspace to Russian aircraft causes challenges.https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1497973334847414278
Volga-Dneiper An-124 transport aircraft are currently not available to ship satellites; not-Russian transports are, particularly for smaller satellites?Quote from: Josh_from_Canada on 02/28/2022 09:41 pmI haven't seen any reports on Volga-Dnepr being banned from transporting satellite but the closure of EU airspace to Russian aircraft causes challenges.https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1497973334847414278