<snip>Vega-C’s inaugural flight is scheduled for mid-2020, carrying the Italian Space Agency’s LARES 2 satellite, a large retroreflector for the study of general relativity related to Earth’s gravitational field.
According to someone working at the CSG, Vega C will not liftoff until the end of September 2020. There should be an ignition of the P120 first stage in the coming months.This date will depend on whether or not flight VV-16 is successful.
At Avio, the Vega-C launches seem to be as VC-xx designated. But maybe Arianespace does it differently.http://avio-data.teleborsa.it/2020%2fAVIO-FY-2019-Results_Def_20200326_094744.pdfpage 21Quote•Vega production materials secured for 2020:–materials available for VV17, VV18, VV19–Propellant casting for VV19 may be subject to some restrictions–Vega C maiden flight ok, VC02 materials available , few exceptions
•Vega production materials secured for 2020:–materials available for VV17, VV18, VV19–Propellant casting for VV19 may be subject to some restrictions–Vega C maiden flight ok, VC02 materials available , few exceptions
I've listed the names of the payloads with the missions:- VV-18: LARES-2? First Vega C? (October 21)I don't know what Vega C's flight designation for Arianespace will be. If we stay logical, it would still be "Vol Vega - VV" (Vega Flight), but maybe they'll change.
Most likely there are launch vehicle numbers and launch mission numbers.All Ariane launchers had a VA-xxx mission number. Ariane5 launchers have a VA-5xx(x) vehicle number.I think Arianespace will use VV-xx mission numbers for all Vega launches. Avio uses vehicle numbers: VV for Vega, VC for Vega C. Most likely VE for Vega E. I wonder what they plan to use for Vega Light (C or E).I'm happy the maiden Vega C launch is still planned for 2020.
Most likely there are launch vehicle numbers and launch mission numbers.All Ariane launchers had a VA-xxx mission number. Ariane5 launchers have a VA-5xx(x) vehicle number.I think Arianespace will use VV-xx mission numbers for all Vega launches. Avio uses vehicle numbers: VV for Vega, VC for Vega C
I've listed the names of the payloads with the missions:- VV-19: LARES-2, first Vega C (December 23)
Vega C first flight will be VV-19, and will take off on December 13, 2020.
•Upcoming flight activity•VV16 SSMS mid June•VV17 August•VV18 by year end•Vega C launch campaign to start by year end•Ariane 5 VA253 end of July...•Development•Vega C ground qualification review 3 rd quarter•P120 QM2 test ( third and last static firing test for Ariane 6) by year end
https://tass.ru/kosmos/8622869Google translate:QuoteMOSCOW, June 2. / TASS /. The launch of the new European Vega C rocket is scheduled for 2020, the date will be determined after the resumption of launch activity at the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. This was reported by TASS head of the representative office of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Russia Rene Pischel."The first launch of the Vega C rocket is planned for 2020, the general launch schedule will be approved after the launch activity at the Kourou spaceport resumes this summer with the launch of the Vega rocket," Pishel said.According to the head of the ESA representative office, the first Vega C will put into orbit the Italian geodetic satellite LARES 2 (Laser Relativity Satellite), designed to study the general theory of relativity and space geodesy.
MOSCOW, June 2. / TASS /. The launch of the new European Vega C rocket is scheduled for 2020, the date will be determined after the resumption of launch activity at the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. This was reported by TASS head of the representative office of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Russia Rene Pischel."The first launch of the Vega C rocket is planned for 2020, the general launch schedule will be approved after the launch activity at the Kourou spaceport resumes this summer with the launch of the Vega rocket," Pishel said.According to the head of the ESA representative office, the first Vega C will put into orbit the Italian geodetic satellite LARES 2 (Laser Relativity Satellite), designed to study the general theory of relativity and space geodesy.
Vega Flight VV16 – the SSMS Proof of Concept mission: Postponed until August 17, 2020July 1, 2020Despite this delay, Arianespace is maintaining the target of performing three Vega launches during 2020.
Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021December 2020 January - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3December 23, 2020 Early - LARES 2 - Vega C (inaugural flight) (VV19) - Kourou ZLVDecember 15, 2020 Early - Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS26) - Kourou ELSLate 2020 December 23, 2020 Early Q1 - Pleiades Neo 1, Pleiades Neo 2, nanosats - Vega С (VV19) (VV20) - Kourou ZLVChanges on May 12thChanges on May 15thChanges on July 1stChanges on August 31st
https://spacenews.com/vega-c-debut-slips-to-mid-2021/ dated September 14QuoteRanzo said Avio now expects just one more Vega launch this year, in November. Next year Avio plans three Vega launches, plus a “mid-2021” debut of Vega C, he said.
Ranzo said Avio now expects just one more Vega launch this year, in November. Next year Avio plans three Vega launches, plus a “mid-2021” debut of Vega C, he said.
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, said the company is prioritizing customers of the current Vega rocket that have been waiting since last year for that vehicle to resume operation. “We had a slowdown which moved everything on the right,” Ranzo said during a Sept. 14 earnings call.<snip>Ranzo said Avio had to suspend some Vega C development activities in order to prioritize customer missions. Avio’s supply chain also slowed down due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of launches while Vega was grounded, he said.
Arianespace offers new shared smallsat payload opportunities on its Vega launcher; the next mission already is fully booked, dated October 13[see attached .png file]
Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021January - CERES 1, ELO, Lemur-2y (xTBD), Myriota 1, Myriota 2, Myriota 3, NORSAT 3, NanoAvionics sat + multiple sats - Vega (VV18) - Kourou ZLV (or Q1)Early - Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS26?) - Kourou ELSJanuary February - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3Q2 - CERES 1, CERES 2, CERES 3 + multiple sats - Vega (VV19) - Kourou ZLVMidyear - LARES 2 - Vega C (inaugural flight) (VV19) - Kourou ZLVQ4 - SSMS flight 2 - Vega C - Kourou ZLVChanges on September 21stChanges on October 12thChanges on October 13thzubenelgenubi
ESA lays out roadmap to Vega-C and Ariane 6 flights, dated October 29Vega CVega-C is a more powerful and versatile version of the Vega launch vehicle currently operating at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Vega-C’s maiden flight is planned for June 2021.Vega was on track for its return to flight, after the July 2019 failure, with its mission (VV16) in March 2020, but Europe’s Spaceport had to be closed due to COVID-19 safety measures. The VV16 launch campaign resumed in May but several further launch attempts were halted due to unfavourable weather. Vega’s return to flight, with the new SSMS dispenser carrying 53 satellites, was successfully launched on 2 September.Between February and September no activities for the preparation of Vega-C were possible in the Vega mobile gantry while it housed the P80 solid rocket motor in readiness for flight VV16, due to safety constraints.The qualification at system and subsystems level is currently under finalisation.As from October, all the new solid motors for Vega-C have completed qualification testing. The Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for Vega-C completed qualification tests in 2019. The final test of the P120C took place successfully on 7 October.Two Vega flights, VV17 and VV18, are planned before Vega-C. Activities for the modification of the mobile gantry for Vega-C, such as modifications of the fluids networks as well as connection and installation of the new control bench for Vega-C, will have to start after VV18 now planned early February.Vega-C maiden flight is planned for June 2021.Vega-C is a project managed and funded by the European Space Agency. Avio is the industrial prime contractor. Arianespace commercialises Vega-C.
I got some information about the flights for this year:VV19 - late June or early July, likely Vega C first flight
QuoteVega-C rocket delayed to early 2022 as current Vega customers, especially one, are given priorityPosted by Peter B. de Selding | Mar 19, 2021 | Limited, Satellite OperatorsPARIS — Europe’s Vega-C rocket’s inaugural flight has slipped to early 2022 to increase the likelihood that high-profile customers awaiting launch on the current Vega are delivered to orbit this year.First among equals in this customer lineup is the French Defense Ministry, whose three Ceres signals-intelligence satellites are scheduled for launch on a Vega late this year. The satellites will fly in formation in low Earth orbit.https://www.spaceintelreport.com/vega-c-rocket-delayed-to-early-2022-as-current-vega-customers-especially-one-are-given-priority/The Vega-C lost the fight. The Vega customers Airbus and DGA have prevailed.So most likely 2021 Vega VV18 Pleiades NEO 1, Vega VV19 Pleiades NEO 2, Vega VV20 CERES and then 2022 the Vega-C.
Vega-C rocket delayed to early 2022 as current Vega customers, especially one, are given priorityPosted by Peter B. de Selding | Mar 19, 2021 | Limited, Satellite OperatorsPARIS — Europe’s Vega-C rocket’s inaugural flight has slipped to early 2022 to increase the likelihood that high-profile customers awaiting launch on the current Vega are delivered to orbit this year.First among equals in this customer lineup is the French Defense Ministry, whose three Ceres signals-intelligence satellites are scheduled for launch on a Vega late this year. The satellites will fly in formation in low Earth orbit.
The same from Avio, no Vega-C in 2021.p. 24http://avio-data.teleborsa.it/2021%2f2020-FY-Results-v_DEF_20210319_060013.pdf
Next steps for a busy2021•Upcoming flight activity •VV19 3rdquarter 2021 •VV20 4thquarter 2021 •Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C •Vega C -launch campaign to start 4thquarter 2021
Incomprehensible: Why was the "•Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C" not carried out in the breaks after Vega VV15 or VV17?
Quote from: GWR64 on 05/12/2021 09:44 amIncomprehensible: Why was the "•Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C" not carried out in the breaks after Vega VV15 or VV17?Perhaps they need to wait until after VV20. Is that the last flight of the standard Vega?
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
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 03/02/2022 01:40 amVolga-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/1497973334847414278From Arianespace updates I have seen quite a few of the satellites using regular Boeing 747 freighters, especially those flying on Vega.
Il 23 e il 24 marzo 2022 si è tenuta nella sede di OHB Italia - a Milano - la Pre-Shipment Review, nel corso della quale l’Agenzia Spaziale Italiana ha verificato lo stato del Sistema LARES2 e ne ha autorizzato la spedizione presso il sito di lancio, lo spazioporto europeo di Kourou in Guyana Francese.Il Sistema LARES2, sviluppato da OHB Italia, sotto la guida e il coordinamento dell’ASI, sarà il primo passeggero del nuovo lanciatore europeo VEGA C realizzato da AVIO, al suo volo inaugurale previsto per il maggio 2022.
On 23 and 24 March 2022 the Pre-Shipment Review was held at the OHB Italia headquarters - in Milan, during which the Italian Space Agency checked the status of the LARES2 System and authorized its shipment to the site launch, the European spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.The LARES2 system, developed by OHB Italia, under the guidance and coordination of ASI, will be the first passenger of the new European VEGA C launcher built by AVIO, on its inaugural flight scheduled for May 2022.
Peter B. de Selding@pbdes[email protected] contracts w/ @Arianespace to launch Europe's Sentinel 1C radar Earth obs sat on #VegaC H1 2023; to replace Sentinel 1B, which since Dec has been unable to transmit. 1st Vega-C flight in June. 2300-kg Sentinel 1C to operate at 690km, tests limit of Vega C performance.
Getting closer to the inaugural #VegaC flight #VV21 with #LARES2 !Start of the integration process with the #P120C solid rocket stage being transferred to the Vega mobile gantry at @EuropeSpacePort on 15 April 2022 @esa @Avio_Group @ASI_spazio @ESA_Italia
https://twitter.com/vega_sts/status/1515426709998383120QuoteGetting closer to the inaugural #VegaC flight #VV21 with #LARES2 !Start of the integration process with the #P120C solid rocket stage being transferred to the Vega mobile gantry at @EuropeSpacePort on 15 April 2022 @esa @Avio_Group @ASI_spazio @ESA_Italia
Launcher integration for the inaugural flight of Vega-C began with the P120C solid-fuel first stage being delivered to the Vega Launch Zone (Zone de Lancement Vega, or ZLV) at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on 15 April 2022. P120C will also fly on Ariane 6, with two or four units serving as boosters depending on mission requirements.The interstage segment to join the P120C first stage with the Z40 second stage followed on the 22nd.For flight VV21, the principal payload will be LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Also onboard will be six European research CubeSats.
https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/next-arianespace-launch-scheduled-for-june-22-with-ariane-5/Next Arianespace launch scheduled for June 22 with Ariane 5...
"Am I translating correctly that Vega C VV21 only occurs after Ariane 5 VA257?"VV21 is an ESA launch whereas VA257 is an Arianespace launch, so you cannot conclude anything!
As I'm Dutch, how about some Vega-C Interstage 1/2 shots at ZLV ?
After the integration of AVUM A4, acceptance tests are underway. The first avionics and vibration tests were completed and more are being run, leading to the finalisation of the fourth stage of #VegaC, its transfer to @EuropeSpacePort and integration on the launcher.
Preparation for VV21, the inaugural flight of ESA’s new Vega-C rocket, continues at pace with integration of the Zefiro-9 solid-fuel third stage.Zefiro-9 (the Vega-C third stage) is now in place on the Vega launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana; work was carried out on 10 May 2022. The third stage is shared with the original Vega, but for the more capable Vega-C it sits atop all-new P120C and Zefiro-40 solid-fuel stages. AVIO is the prime contractor for Vega and Vega-C development. Next to come will be Vega-C’s fourth stage. AVUM+, which is an uprated version of Vega’s AVUM fourth stage. Its liquid-fuel engine is re-startable several times in space, which means a Vega-C flight can orbit multiple payloads to different orbits. And, after dispensing its payloads, a final AVUM+ burn will de-orbit the stage to minimize space debris. P120C will also fly on Ariane 6, with two or four units serving as boosters depending on mission requirements. By sharing a common component, both launchers will optimise manufacturing and assembly costs. For flight VV21, the principal payload will be LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Also onboard will be six European research CubeSats.
Vega C's inaugural launch date is scheduled for late June 2022
The Vega-C inaugural launch is planned for July 2022.https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Invitation_to_media_Join_pre-launch_press_programme_to_see_Vega-C_and_preparations_for_Ariane_6_at_Europe_s_Spaceport
Avum+, #VegaC @Vega_sts stage 4, was transported to @EuropeSpacePort yesterday and will be integrated on the launcher tomorrow. Meanwhile, phase 2 of the preparation for the maiden flight of our new launcher, authorized by Flight Readiness Review 2, has begun
Get a sneak peek of AVIO team at work to prepare for @Vega_sts #VegaC's maiden flight as they integrated its upper stage, Avum+, with the rest of the launcher
#InsideVega#VegaC @Vega_sts is now integrated on the launchpad at @EuropeSpacePort and waiting for the avionic tests. The maiden flight is getting closer and closer 🚀 #StayTuned @esa
Vivian Quenet, Arianespace’s managing director and head of sales for the Asia-Pacific region, announced the timetable during a fireside chat at Asia Satellite Business Week in Singapore {on June 1}.“After that one [Ariane 5 launch] {VA257} we will have the maiden flight of the Vega C” in {the} first week of July, Quenet said, and then “towards the end of the year, we have the maiden flight of Ariane 6, which is our heavy launcher which will replace Ariane 5.”
The European Space Agency has set a date and launch time for the debut flight of the Vega C rocket: July 7, from French Guiana, at 11:13 UTC.
The #VegaC @Vega_sts maiden flight campaign doesn't stop! The #Lares2 payload, payload adapter and fairing are now in the processing facility. The Avio and @esa teams are preparing for the avionic tests ahead of the loading of the upper stage propellant
According to the link below LARES 2 has a mass of only 295 kg and a diameter of 0.424 m. However, it will going to a 6000 km 70° orbit.https://www.lares-mission.com/LARES_2.asp
...LARES-2 has a lower density. The metal ball is made of the Ni-Mo-Cr alloy Haynes 242.Edit: Haynes 242 was examined. The actual Ni-alloy used is still unknown.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350459816_Haynes_242_Alloy_for_Lares_2_Satellite
Arianespace has updated their rideshare mission opportunities page:https://smallsats.arianespace.com/opportunitiesVega-C rideshares:
ESA’s new medium-lift #VegaC rocket, built by @Avio_Group , is nearly ready for its first flight. Flight #VV21 will lift off as soon as 7 July, pending suitable conditions for launch. The main payload is LARES-2, a mission of @ASI_spazio.https://twitter.com/vega_sts/status/1537322854915645442
Flight VV21 is scheduled for lift-off as soon as 13 July at 13:13 CEST, pending suitable conditions for launch.
What safety were they referring to?Is it fouled Range or a parameter that passed a redline?
In this case, per the fourth parameter you listed, there could be an issue with the backup flight software. Can’t rely on the main computer; make sure there’s enough redundancy.
New launch time of 13:13 UTC.
Ignition.
