18 May 2022Final Pléiades Neo satellites ready to join rest of familyBoth final Pléiades Neo satellites in their “self-stacked” configuration during mechanical testsIntegration completed, environment tests successfully passedDispenser-free launch configuration, clever "auto-stackable" designToulouse, 18 May 2022 - The last two satellites of the Airbus-built, owned and operated Pléiades Neo constellation are on track for launch later this year, following successful final tests in Toulouse’s clean rooms.Following the seamless parallel integration of both Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 satellites, and the successful conclusion of the environment (thermal vacuum, acoustic, vibration) test campaign, both final spacecraft are now ready to complete the Pléiades Neo constellation.Both satellites are due to be launched simultaneously on the Vega C European launcher from Kourou, in French Guiana. To tackle this dual launch, the Airbus space engineers came up with a smart and efficient dispenser-free design, where the satellites are stacked on top of each other, linked only by a clamp band.This compact dispenser-free launch configuration saves volume and mass, as well as reducing cost. Simultaneously testing both satellites in their stacked launch configuration enabled significant time saving, with only four days needed to pass both the three axes Sine testing and the acoustic test.”With this new bold, dispenser-free design, we were able to seamlessly integrate and test these two very high resolution satellites and ensure an optimised launch configuration: in a single launch, we will double the acquisition capacity of the Pléiades Neo constellation, and offer even greater responsiveness to our customers” said Philippe Pham, Head of Earth Observation and Science at Airbus. About Pléiades NeoComprising four identical satellites, the Pléiades Neo constellation will work hand in hand with the existing Pléiades satellites and the rest of the Airbus Earth observation satellite fleet. The highly compact Pléiades Neo spacecraft have a light weight, next generation silicon carbide optical instrument. They also have laser comms inter-satellite links with SpaceDataHighway (EDRS) geostationary satellites to enable urgent acquisitions in just 30 to 40 minutes following a tasking request to swiftly respond to the most critical situations.To download high resolution images or watch a video extract of the test, please visit our website or YouTube channel.@AirbusSpace #PléiadesNeo #SpaceMatters #NextSpace #VegaC @Arianespace @Avio
The first commercial launch of Vega C is scheduled in November 2022. The flight, designated VV22, will deliver Pléiades Neo 5 and 6, a pair of satellites wholly funded, manufactured and operated by Airbus.
Arianespace is set to launch OQ’s first fully commercial satellite as part of its next Vega C mission, which was slated for November but is now targeting December through January.
According to Stéphane Israël on the VA258 launch webcast:- Next Vega(-C) launch (VV22) on November 21st with Pleiades Neo 5 and 6 on 2nd Vega-C- Next Ariane 5 launch (VA259) in December with satellites from EUMETSAT (MTG-I1) & Intelsat (Galaxy 35 & 36)
We're getting ready for our next mission, #VC02: elements for #VegaC's second flight landed at @europespaceport in Kourou 🚀
Der nächste Flug einer Vega ist zum folgenden Termin geplant:Nr. Version Flug Startdatum Nutzlast(en) Bemerkung22 Vega-C VV22 23.11.2022 Pleiades Neo 5 · Pleiades Neo 6 Angaben ohne Gewähr, Änderungen jederzeit möglich. Aktualisiert: 14. Oktober 2022
Another satellite 🛰 is leaving our cleanroom in Toulouse, heading to its launch pad 🚀🤔Guess which one?Clue: it's an Earth observation satellite...Additional clue 👉 it's not just 1 but 2 satellites that are transported 👀And they are part of a larger family (a constellation) 😉Stay tuned...
How it left 👇 How it arrived 👇The final 2⃣ #PléiadesNeo satellites 🛰️ scheduled for launch 🚀 late November 2022 on @Arianespace #VegaC arrived in Kourou. Spot the differences 😉🔗 airbus.com/en/newsroom/pr…
Updated satellite view of Cayenne Airport by Pleiades Neo 3, spotting sister's Pleiades Neo 5 & 6 arriving for launch at CSG by Vega-C📷via @AirbusSpace #VegaC #CSG #VV22
Our latest 2⃣ #PléiadesNeo 🛰️ have just been unpacked in Kourou’s cleanroom!🔜 satellite preparation for stacked configuration before placing them on the launcher adapter. 🚀The twins already experienced this special configuration a few months ago 👉 https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-05-final-pleiades-neo-satellites-ready-to-join-rest-of-family
https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1584572445243363328QuoteUpdated satellite view of Cayenne Airport by Pleiades Neo 3, spotting sister's Pleiades Neo 5 & 6 arriving for launch at CSG by Vega-C📷via @AirbusSpace #VegaC #CSG #VV22
Hello you…😏Our two upcoming passengers, #PléiadesNeo 5 & 6, entered Kourou and are now waiting for their launch on November 23! Save the date… Flight #VV22 will mark the beginning of the operational phase of our brand new #VegaC! 🚀
Some more pictures of our 2⃣ #PléiadesNeo 🛰️ under preparation for stacked configuration… stay tuned, you’ll soon hear again from our twins! 😉
Launch is approaching! 😍Our 2⃣ #PléiadesNeo satellites 🛰️ have just been installed on the #VegaC adapter. 🔜 Next step for the twins: encapsulation in the @Arianespace launcher fairing.Stay tuned 😉
Comfy Womfy!😊The latest 2⃣ #PléiadesNeo satellites are now under our #VegaC fairing!🚀#ICYMI, Flight #VV22 will be the first commercial launch for our brand new European light launcher… So make sure to follow us to get the latest updates!
