Launch News LARES, ALMASat-1 & 7 CubeSats atop Vega VV01, Feb. 13, 2012

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Vega's first launch, dubbed VV01, will mark the end of nine years of development by ESA and its partners, Italian space agency ASI, French space agency CNES and industry.

The vehicle will lift off from the new Vega launch site at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying nine satellites into orbit: the LARES laser relativity satellite and ALMASat-1 from ASI with seven CubeSats from European Universities.

The mission will qualify the overall Vega system, including the vehicle, the ground infrastructure and operations from the launch campaign to the payload separation and disposal of the upper module.

It will demonstrate the correct behaviour of all elements and functions of the launch system in real conditions. In particular, it will demonstrate the vehicle’s performances and payload services in flight, after completion of the qualification process on ground.

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Date:​

|{colsp=4}

Feb. 13, 2012​

Window​

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UTC​

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GFT​

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CET​

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EST​

Open:​

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10:00​

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07:00​

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11:00​

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05:00​

Close:​

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13:00​

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10:00​

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14:00​

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08:00​

Site:​

|{colsp=4}

ELA-1, Kourou, French Guiana​

{colsp=5}

[highlight]L[eventtimer]2012-2-13 10:0;%c%%ddd%/%hh%:%mm%:%ss%[/eventtimer][/highlight]​

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There is calendar event created for this launch, for which you can request a reminder.



Live coverage of the launch:

The launch coverage will be carried live on the ESA website, as well as on the ESA's Livestream channel.

Live transmission starts at 9:40 UTC, Feb. 13, 2012 - i.e.[eventtimer]2012-2-13 9:40? in | ;%c%%h% hours, %m%[/eventtimer] minutes[eventtimer]2012-2-13 9:40?.| ago.;%c%[/eventtimer]​

Payloads:

LARES:

LARES (Laser Relativity Satellite) is a science satellite developed by ASI to study the ‘Lense–Thirring effect’ – a consequence of Einstein’s general relativity – explaining precession of bodies’ orbits in the vicinity of large spinning masses such as Earth.

The satellite, built by Carlo Gavazzi Space, is a passive 376 mm-diameter sphere made of tungsten alloy weighing about 400 kg. It features 92 cube corner retroreflectors for laser ranging from Earth. LARES will be released into a 1450 km-altitude circular orbit and will complement ASI’s previous Lageos-1 and Lageos-2 laser geodynamics satellites, launched in 1976 and 1992, respectively.

As LARES orbits the Earth, laser beams are emitted from a number of ground stations around the Earth, the International Laser Ranging Service, and reflected by the CCRs on LARES to the ground stations. The time delay between emission and arrival of the laser beam provides a measure of the round-trip distance to LARES, allowing a highly accurate orbit determination. Correcting for a number of effects, most importantly the deviation of the Earth gravitational field from an ideal sphere, yields the frame-dragging effect.

The avionic in the LARES support structure is also in charge of powering the separation systems for the other payloads, driven by launch vehicle commands to the LARES avionics.

The main scientific objectives of the LARES mission are:

• High precision tests of Einstein's theory of general relativity, in particular:
  • A measurement of the Lense-Thirring effect due to the Earth's angular momentum and a high precision test of the Earth's gravitomagnetic field. The Lense-Thirring effect is a tiny shift of the orbit of a test particle. Gravitomagnetic field and Lense-Thirring effect are theoretical predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity.
  • An improved, high precision, test of the inverse square law for very weak-field gravity and test of the equivalence principle.
  • A measurement of the general relativistic perigee precession of LARES and a high precision measurement of the corresponding combination of the PPN (Parametrized-Post-Newtonian) parameters beta and gamma. The PPN parameters beta and gamma test Einstein's theory of gravitation versus other metric theories of gravitation.
  • Other tests of general relativity and gravitation.
  
  
• Measurements and improved determinations in geodesy and geodynamics.

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ALMASat-1:

ALMASat-1 (Alma Mater Satellite) is a 12.5 kg technology demonstration microsatellite developed and built by the University of Bologne.

It consists of a 30 cm cube designed as a modular structure, made of six shop-machined Al trays, kept together by eight stainless steel bars. Four Al/Al honeycomb lateral panels, which are the support structure of glued solar panels, complete the satellite structure. This architecture has been selected in order to have a multi-purpose bus, to be used with minor changes for several missions, accommodating payloads with different volume and power requirements.

On this first mission the main objective will be to test the key performance, such as 3-axis pointing accuracy, of this low-cost multipurpose bus in preparation for future missions. Among the possible future applications, there is the on-orbit experimentation of a passive electro-dynamic de-orbiting system, jointly developed by Alenia Spazio (Turin plant) and the University of Rome “la Sapienza”.

The first ALMASat (ALma MAter SATellite) demonstration mission was due for launch on November 2005 on board a Dnepr-1 rocket, but has been delayed to a launch on the maiden Vega flight in early 2011.

To ensure its reentry within 25 years, ALMASat-1 will be deployed into an elliptical orbit with a perigee at 350 km.

E-ST@R:

e-st@r is a CubeSat-type nanosatellite built by the Polytechnics Institute of Turin, Italy.

E-ST@R project is an educational and research program which is being carried out at Politecnico di Torino by the AeroSpace System Engineering Team (ASSET). Aim of the project is the development and launch into orbit of the E-ST@R satellite, which is a CubeSat class spacecraft. The project is entirely carried out by students, both graduate and undergraduate, under the supervision of researchers and professors.

Following main scientific objectives and one secondary scientific objective have been identified:

• first main scientific objective: development and test of an active Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS);
• secondary scientific objective: test of commercial components and materials.

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Goliat:

Goliat is a CubeSat type nanosatellite built by the University of Bucharest, Romania.

The 1 kg satellite type is the first Romanian satellite and is considered as a prototype and a platform for exploring the near-Earth environment.

Goliat carries three experiments:

• Cyclops: a 3-megapixel digital camera that will make images of Earth's surface;
• Sa-mi-ši: a piezo-detector, which egisters micrometeorite impacts;
• DOSE-N: measures radiation levels satellite orbit.

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MaSat-1:

MaSat-1 (Magyar Satellite) Developed by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary.

MaSat 1 (Magyar Satellite 1) is a CubeSat type nanosatellite mission to demonstrate various spacecraft avionics, including a power conditioning system, transceiver and on-board data handling.

This is Hungary’s first satellite.

PW-Sat-1:

PW-Sat-1 was developed by the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland.

The CubeSat-based satellite will deploy a solar sail as a deployable drag augmentation device in order to accelerate the removal of picosatellites at the end of their missions.

This is Poland’s first satellite.

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ROBUSTA:

ROBUSTA (Radiation on Bipolar Test for University Satellite Application) is a Cubesat project of the University of Montpellier II, France.

The mission of ROBUSTA is to check the deterioration in flight of electronic components based on bipolar transistors when exposed to space radiation environment for comparison with its own degradation models. The results of this experiment will be used to validate a test method proposed in the laboratory.

UniCubeSat-GG:

UniCubeSat-GG (University CubeSat - Gravity Gradient) is nanosatellite by Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale by the Gruppo di Astrodinamica dell'Università degli Studi 'La Sapienza University of Rome' (GAUSS), Italy, carrying a gravity gradient boom.

The main payload of UniCubeSat-GG concerns the study of the gravity gradient enhanced by the presence of two symmetrical deployable booms. The end faces of the booms and the boom elements are equipped with solar panels for additional power generation.

Xatcobeo:

Xatcobeo was developed by the University of Vigo, Spain.

This satellite was developed for transporting two payloads: a software defined reconfigurable radio (SRAD) and a system for measuring the amount of ionizing radiation (RDS). There is also an experimental solar panel deployment system (PDM).

This is a joint project between INTA and the University of Vigo, which has been selected as an educational project focused on supplying the students with access to space, a chance that otherwise would not be possible.

The first objective of this project is to learn: teachers, experienced researchers and students will have a unique chance to improve their skills in electronics, communication engineering or software development.

It will test a software-defined reconfigurable radio and an ionising radiation measurement system. It will also test a solar panel deployment system.

Characteristics:

Satellite:​

| LARES | ALMASat-1 | e-st@r | Goliat | MaSat-1 | PW-Sat-1 | ROBUSTA | UniCubeSat-GG | Xatcobeo

Nation:​

| Italy | Italy | Italy | Romania | Hungary | Poland | France | Italy | Spain

Type / Application:​

| Basic research, Geodesy | Technology | Technology | Technology | Technology | Technology | Technology | Technology, aeronomy | Technology

Operator:​

| ASI | University of Bologna | Politecnico di Torino | University of Bucharest | Budapest University of Technology and Economics | Warsaw University of Technology, Space Research Centre | University of Montpellier II | GAUSS (La Sapienza University of Rome) | INTA, Universidade de Vigo

Contractors:​

| Carlo Gavazzi Space SpA | University of Bologna | Politecnico di Torino; Pumpkin, Inc. (bus) | University of Bucharest; Pumpkin, Inc. (bus) | Budapest University of Technology and Economics | Warsaw University of Technology, Space Research Centre | University of Montpellier II | GAUSS (La Sapienza University of Rome) | INFN Trieste; Pumpkin, Inc. (bus)

Equipment:​

| 92 cube corner reflectors | | | Cyclops, Sa-mi-ši, DOSE-N | | deployable flexible solar array/sail | | 2 gravity gradient booms ||

Configuration:​

| 37.6 cm sphere | Cube | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U) | CubeSat (1U)

Propulsion:​

| None | None | | None | | | | |

Power:​

| None | Solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries | 2 deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, batteries | Solar cells, batteries

Lifetime:​

| | | | | 21 days | | | |

Mass:​

| ~ 400 kg | 12.5 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg | 1 kg

Orbit:​

| 1200 km × 1200 km, 71° | | | | | | | |

Vega VV01 payloads

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Launch Vehicle:

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Vega is an ESA project for a small, solid-fueled launcher for low earth orbit payloads. It is compatible with payload masses ranging from 300 kg to 2500 kg, depending on the type and altitude of the orbit required by the customers. The benchmark is for 1500 kg into a 700 km-altitude polar orbit.​

The first stage was originally a two-segment version of the Ariane-5 booster, but later in the development process a complete new first stage was developed. The second and third stages will be versions of the italian Zefiro motor. A liquid fuel propulsion module will form stage 4, which is powered by a russian RD-869 engine of R-36M2 heritage.​

Due to the reignitable 4th stage, Vega is able to place multiple payloads into orbit. In particular, it offers configurations able to handle payloads ranging from a single satellite up to one main satellite plus eight microsatellites.​

| First Stage | Second Stage | Third Stage | Fourth Stage

Propulsion:​

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P80FW​

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Zefiro-Z23​

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Zefiro-Z9​

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AVUM / RD-869​

Height:​

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10.5 m​

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7.5 m​

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3.85 m​

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1.74 m​

Diameter:​

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3 m​

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1.9 m​

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1.9 m​

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1.9 m​

Propellant mass:​

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88 t​

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23.9 t​

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10.1 t​

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0.55 t​

Thrust (max):​

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3 040 kN​

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1 200 kN​

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213 kN​

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2.45 kN​

Nozzle expansion ratio:​

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16​

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25​

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56​

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Burn time:​

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107 s​

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71.6 s​

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117 s​

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315.2 s​

Performance (kg):

    LEO     |     LPEO     |     SSO     |     GTO     |     GEO     |     MolO     |     IP    

2300​

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1740​

| | | | |

Rocket stages:

The P80FW stage:

The first stage of Vega is based on a large monolithic motor with a load of 88 365 kg of HTPB solid propellant. The motor delivers 2261 kN of thrust at sea level and burns for 114.3 seconds before being jettisoned at an altitude of 61 km.

The stage features two major new technologies in order to reduce the vehicle’s mass:

• A carbon-epoxy filament-wound motor casing, the largest in the world for a monolithic motor;
• Electromechanical actuators for thrust vectoring, a world’s first for a motor of this size.

Both technologies will be demonstrated and qualified on Vega in preparation for future launcher developments within ESA’s Next-Generation Launcher (NGL) initiative.

The P80FW shares a 3 m diameter with Ariane 5’s EAP solid boosters; its 11.2 m overall length is similar to one of EAP’s largest segments. The same Ariane 5 facilities and equipment at the Guiana Propellant Plant, next to the spaceport, are used for the P80FW propellant loading and transport. The stage’s nozzle is also an evolution from that of the Ariane 5 boosters.

Main features:

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• motor length: 11.7m
• diameter: 3m
• propellant mass: 88 t
• motor dry mass: 7 330 kg
• motor case mass: 3 260 kg
• average thrust: 2 200 kN
• specific impulse: 280 sec
• combustion time: 110 sec

| Leaflet - P80 Engine (PDF)

The Zefiro stages:

Vega’s second and third stages are based on Zefiro solid-propellant motors developed by Avio from its earlier Zefiro-Z16 ground-qualified motor. Both motors are 1.9 m in diameter with a carbon-epoxy filament-wound motor casing, low-density EPDM insulation and a flexible joint nozzle with electromechanical actuators for thrust vector control.

The 8.39 m-long Zefiro-Z23 is loaded with 23 906 kg of HTPB 1912 solid propellant and delivers 1196 kN of thrust at sea level. It burns for 86.7 seconds.

The 4.12 m-long Zefiro-Z9A is loaded with 10 115 kg of HTPB 1912 solid propellant and delivers a maximum thrust of 313 kN in vacuum. Although it is Vega’s smallest solid-propellant motor, it has the longest burn time: 128.6 seconds. The Zefiro-Z9A also features the highest mass fraction for solid motors in this category.

The Zefiro stages are produced by Avio in its facilities in Colleferro, near Rome, Italy. They are loaded with solid propellant before their shipment to the spaceport.

Zefiro-Z23 main features:

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• motor length: 7.5 m
• diameter: 1.9 m
• propellant mass: 24 t
• motor dry mass: 1 950 kg
• motor case mass: 900 kg
• average thrust: 871 kN
• ppecific impulse: 287.5 sec
• combustion time: 77 sec

| Leaflet - Zefiro 23 (PDF)

Zefiro-Z9 main features:

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• motor length: 3.5 m
• diameter: 1.9 m
• propellant mass: 10.5 t
• motor dry mass: 915 kg
• motor case mass: 400 kg
• average thrust: 260 kN
• pecific impulse: 296 sec
• combustion time: 120 s

| Leaflet - Zefiro 9 (PDF)

AVUM:

The AVUM (Attitude Vernier Upper Module) stage is composed of two different sections, one housing the propulsion elements (APM: AVUM Propulsion Module) and one dedicated to the avionics equipment housing platform (AAM: AVUM Avionics Module).

The Attitude and Vernier Upper Module has a bipropellant propulsion system for orbital injection, and a monopropellant propulsion system for controlling the vehicle’s roll and the attitude.

The APM provides for the attitude control functions and axial thrust of the Vega launcher during the final phases of flight, in accordance with the requisites of the mission.

AVUM’s primary mission begins at the end of the solid-propulsion phase, when it starts manoeuvring to reach the targeted deployment orbit with high accuracy. AVUM is designed to deliver different payloads into different orbits and to perform fine satellite pointing before separation. At the end of the mission, it is disposed of safely to limit orbital debris.

AVUM carries 550 kg of propellant (UDMH/NTO) in four tanks and is powered by a restartable 2.45 kN RD-869 engine. The total propellant load is 250-400 kg, depending on the definition of the configuration and mission to be carried out. It incorporates two clusters of three monopropellant thrusters for roll and attitude control, and accommodates the Vega avionics module, which provides flight control and mission management, telemetry, flight termination, power supply and distribution.

The current basic configuration includes the adoption of a bi-liquid propellant for primary manoeuvres, which uses Tetroxide Nitrogen (NTO) as oxidant and asymmetric monomethyl-hydrazine (UDMH) as a propellant, both fuelled by pressured helium gas, and a cold nitrogen gas system (GN2) for attitude control.

The AMM avionics module houses the main components of the avionics sub-system of the launch vehicle.

Features of AVUM:

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• motor length: 1.7 m
• diameter: 2.31 m
• propellant mass: 0.55 t
• motor dry mass: 131 kg
• motor case mass: 16 kg
• average thrust: 2.42 kN
• specific impulse: 315.5 sec
• combustion time: 6.672 s

| Leaflet - AVUM (PDF)

Mission highlights:

The main qualification objectives for the launch vehicle include the liftoff kinematics with respect to the pad interfaces, the ignition, performance, flight control, thrust vector control and separation of all three solid stages, the fairing separation, AVUM performance and restart capability, payload release manoeuvres and accuracy and finally AVUM passivation at the end of the mission with a deorbiting manoeuvre to comply with debris mitigation policies.

To monitor all these events during the flight, the VV01 launcher carries extra sets of sensors and three telemetry systems to download data in real time to the ground. These data will be processed after the flight to identify possible discrepancies. As a demonstrator for new technologies, the first stage has its own set of sensors with a dedicated telemetry system.

In order to prepare for future operational flights, the LARES payload platform carries a set of sensors, including accelerometers, acoustic sensors and cameras to monitor the payload environment during the flight.

The vehicle is not the only system to be qualified with this mission. All ground systems and launch procedures will be qualified simultaneously. This includes payload processing and integration, launcher acceptance via the readiness control checks with a simulated countdown and mission sequence, final prelaunch readiness checks via the automatic sequences during the final countdown, readiness check of the launch base and of all support means needed during the flight (weather forecast, telemetry downlink stations, tracking stations, flight termination).

Vega’s AVUM Attitude and Vernier Upper Module will reach a circular orbit at an altitude of 1450 km and an inclination of 69.5° to the equator in order to release LARES. Then, it will manoeuvre to lower the perigee to 350 km before deploying the other payloads.

Seven picosatellites sharing the same CubeSat design (1 kg, 1 W, 10 cm cubic structure) developed by universities from ESA member or cooperating states were selected within European universities on behalf of ESA’s Education programme. They will be released by three P-PODs (Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployers) mounted on the LARES structure into an elliptical orbit with a 350 km perigee that will ensure their safe reentry within 12 years.

The mission will qualify the overall Vega system, including the vehicle itself, its launch infrastructure and the operational procedures from the launch campaign up to the payload separation and disposal of AVUM.​

Launch campaign:

Date​

| Event

13-14 Oct 2011​

|First Flight Readiness Review #1

24 Oct 2011​

|Vega VV01 stages and LARES satellite arrive in Kourou Harbour

26 Oct 2011​

|Delivery of LARES to S1B payload processing facility

late Nov 2011​

|Delivery of P-PODS and CubeSats in Kourou

7 Nov 2011​

|Start of launch campaign

7 Nov 2011​

|P80FW transferred to the ZLV and installed on the pad

2 Dec 2011​

|Zefiro-Z23 stage stacked

7 Dec 2011​

|Flight Readiness Review #2

9 Dec 2011​

|Zefiro-Z9A stage stacked

12–14 Dec 2011​

|P-PODs integrated on LARES adapter

16 Dec 2011​

|AVUM transfer to launch pad and mating

13 Jan 2012​

|Final checkout activities

19 Jan 2012​

|Start of combined operations

21 Jan 2012​

|Upper composite transfered to launch pad and mated

26 Jan 2012​

|First gantry rollback

1 Feb 2012​

|Launch countdown rehearsal

3-6 Feb 2012​

|AVUM propellant loading and pressurisation

12 Feb 2012​

|Arming of vehicle

13 Feb 2012​

|Launch countdown

Vega VV01 launch campaign

Vega VV01 integration of the CubeSats in the P-POD

​

Countdown & Launch timeline:

T [HH:MM:SS]​

| Event | Alt. [km] | Vel. [m/s]

–07:45:00​

| Start of Countdown | |

{colsp=4}

The final countdown begins with functional checks of the rocket.​

–06:45:00​

| Verification of Communications Links | |

{colsp=4}

Launch controllers verify communications, tracking and telecommand links between the Vega rocket and ground facilities at the Guiana Space Center.​

–05:40:00​

| Launcher Powered On | |

{colsp=4}

Systems on the Vega launcher are powered on for health checks.​

–04:20:00​

| Inertial Platform Alignment | |

{colsp=4}

The 98-foot-tall rocket's inertial navigation platform is aligned for flight.​

–02:40:00​

| Gantry Rollback | |

{colsp=4}

The mobile service gantry, which stands 16 stories tall, is retracted about 260 feet away from the Vega rocket at the ZLV launch complex at the Guiana Space Center.​

–00:44:00​

| Ready for Final Countdown | |

{colsp=4}

Engineers conduct another check of Vega's systems before the beginning of the computer-controlled synchronized sequence.​

–00:03:30​

| All systems go, start of synchronised sequence | |

{colsp=4}

Computers assume command of the countdown in the final minutes, making thousands of checks to ensure all systems are ready for liftoff.​

+00:00:00​

| P80 ignition | |

{colsp=4}

The Vega rocket's first stage P80 solid rocket motor ignites and powers the 98-foot-tall booster off the launch pad 0.3 seconds later. The P80 first stage motor generates a maximum of 683,000 pounds of thrust.​

+00:00:00.3​

| Liftoff |

0​

|

0​

{colsp=4}

Liftoff of the Vega rocket from the pad.​

+00:00:30.7​

| Transonic (Mach 1) |

4.7​

|

332​

{colsp=4}

The Vega rocket surpasses the speed of sound.​

+00:00:53​

| Maximum dynamic pressure |

13​

|

586​

{colsp=4}

Flying at an altitude of more than 40,000 feet, the rocket passes through the phase of maximum aerodynamic pressure.​

+00:01:54.8​

| P80 shut down and separation |

60​

|

1700​

{colsp=4}

Having consumed its 194,000 pounds of solid propellant, the 9.8-foot-diameter P80 first stage motor is jettisoned at an altitude of 37 miles.​

+00:01:55.6​

| Zefiro-23 ignition |

61​

|

1700​

{colsp=4}

The Vega rocket's Zefiro 23 second stage motor fires to begin an 87-second burn.​

+00:03:22.3​

| Zefiro-23 shut down and separation |

127​

|

3800​

{colsp=4}

The Zefiro 23 motor burns out and jettisons at an altitude of 79 miles.​

+00:03:38.5​

| Zefiro-9 ignition |

135​

|

3800​

{colsp=4}

Moving at a velocity of 8,500 mph, the Vega rocket's third stage Zefiro 9 motor ignites for a 129-second firing.​

+00:03:43.5​

| Fairing separation |

138​

|

3900​

{colsp=4}

The Vega's 8.5-foot-diameter payload fairing is released as the rocket ascends into the upper atmosphere more than 85 miles high.​

+00:05:47.1​

| Zefiro-9 shut down and separation |

182​

|

7700​

{colsp=4}

The Zefiro 9 third stage shuts down and separates, having accelerated the rocket to nearly orbital velocity.​

+00:05:54.1​

| AVUM 1st boost |

185​

|

7700​

{colsp=4}

The Vega rocket's Attitude and Vernier Module, or fourth stage, ignites for the first time. The AVUM burns hydrazine fuel with an RD-869 engine provided by Yuzhnoye of Ukraine.​

+00:08:45​

| AVUM shut down, injection into transfer orbit |

260​

|

7800​

{colsp=4}

The Vega's AVUM fourth stage is turned off after a 3-minute burn, beginning a nearly 40-minute coast until the engine is ignited again. The first AVUM burn places the rocket and its payloads in a parking orbit.​

+00:48:07.3​

| AVUM 2nd boost |

1447​

|

6600​

{colsp=4}

After coasting to an altitude of 900 miles, the AVUM fires a second time to circularize its orbit.​

+00:52:10.5​

| AVUM shut down, injection into primary target orbit |

1450​

|

6900​

{colsp=4}

The AVUM engine shuts down after reaching a circular 900-mile-high orbit (1,450 kilometers) with an inclination of approximately 70 degrees.​

+00:55:05.5​

| LARES separation |

1450​

|

6900​

{colsp=4}

The Laser Relativity Satellite, or LARES, is deployed from the Vega rocket's AVUM upper stage.​

+01:06:10.5​

| AVUM 3rd boost |

1457​

|

6900​

{colsp=4}

The AVUM fires a third time to lower the perigee of its orbit to 217 miles, or 350 kilometers.​

+01:10:34.3​

| AVUM shut down |

1458​

|

6600​

{colsp=4}

The Vega rocket's AVUM liquid-fueled fourth stage shuts down for the final time of the mission. The AVUM is designed for up to five burns.​

+01:10:35.3​

| ALMASat-1 and CubeSats separation |

1458​

|

6600​

{colsp=4}

Italy's ALMASat 1 remote sensing technology demonstration satellite and seven small CubeSat payloads begin separating from the Vega upper stage.​

+01:21:00.3​

| End of mission |

1344​

|

6700​

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega VV01 mission timeline and flight profile​

Credits: ESA - J. Huart, 2012​

Links:

• Orbiter-Forum:
  • Calendar event for the launch
  • General Vega updates thread
  
  
• ESA:
  • Vega rocket information page
  • Flight overview
  • LARES: Laser Relativity Satellite
  • ALMASat-1: ALma MAter SATellite
  • CubeSats
  • Launch campaign
  • Mission timeline
    
    
  • Watch online: Vega qualification flight
  • Vega VV01 launch campaign (PHOTO GALLERY)
  • Vega VV01 flickr photo page (PHOTO GALLERY)
    
    
  • Press Releases:
    • 2011-11-11: First Vega launch campaign aims for January liftoff
    • 2011-11-14: ESA Cubs delivered for first Vega flight
    • 2011-12-15: Vega moves closer to its first liftoff
    • 2011-12-16: ESA’s CubeSats ready for flight
    • 2012-01-19: Vega rocket ready for first flight
    • 2012-01-26: ESA’s CubeSats near the end of a five year journey
    • 2012-01-27: First Vega rocket assembled on launch pad
    • 2012-02-03: Vega set for its inaugural flight
    • 2012-02-12: Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
    
    
  • Press Kit:
    • English (PDF)
    • French (PDF)
    • Italian (PDF)
    
    
  • Vega fact sheet (PDF)
  • Vega flyer
  
  
• Arianespace - Mission Updates:
  • 2011-10-25: Vega arrives at French Guiana in preparation for its January 26 inaugural launch
  • 2012-01-26: Vega's first flight: Assembly is completed for the no. 1 launcher
  • 2012-02-03: Vega's inaugural flight is set for February 13 at the Spaceport
  
  
• Avio:
  • Vega Launcher
  • P80 Engine
  • Zefiro 23
  • Zefiro 9
  • AVUM
  
  
• Spaceflight Now:
  • Mission Status Center
  • Vega launcher overview
  • Vega countdown timeline
  • Vega launch timeline
    
    
  • Italian satellite to help measure space-time warp
    
    
  • PHOTOS: Payload shroud hoisted atop Vega rocket (PHOTO GALLERY #1)
  • PHOTOS: Countdown rehearsal for Vega rocket (PHOTO GALLERY #2)
  • PHOTOS: Countdown rehearsal for Vega rocket (PHOTO GALLERY #3)
  
  
• Gunter's Space Page:
  • Vega launch vehicle info page
  • LARES spacecraft info page
  • ALMASat 1 spacecraft info page
  • e-st@r spacecraft info page
  • Goliat spacecraft info page
  • MaSat 1 spacecraft info page
  • PW-Sat 1 spacecraft info page
  • ROBUSTA spacecraft info page
  • UniCubeSat-GG spacecraft info page
  • XaTcobeo spacecraft info page
  
  
• NASASpaceflight:
  • Europe’s new launch vehicle Vega ready for debut trip into space
  • ESA and Arianespace closing in on Vega’s debut launch
  
  
• Alma Mater Sudiorum Univerista Di Bologna Dede Di Forli: ALMASat-1
  
  
• Aganzia Spaziale Italiana: LARES
  
  
• Science Watch: Ignazio Ciufolini on the First Accurate Test and Direct Measurement of Gravitomagnetism
  
  
• MessageToEagle.com:LARES Satellite Prepared For Its Mission
  
  
• Parabolic Arc: ESA to Webcast First Vega Launch on Monday
  
  
• SPACE.com: Europe's Newest Rocket to Launch on Maiden Voyage Monday
  
  
• NewScientist: LARES 'mirror ball' sat will test Einstein's theory

 

[orb]

T-20 minutes and counting. The live coverage has just started.


You can watch it on (the same stream):

• ESA website
  
  
• ESA's Livestream
  
  
• Spaceflight Now's Mission Status Center

 

[Chub777]

T-1 minute until launch.

 

[orb]

Liftoff!

 

[Notebook]

What a beauty, certainly left at speed!.

N.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Whoo-Hoo!
Nicely done team Vega!

 

[orb]

It didn't blow up.

Now in coasting phase after 1st burn of AVUM. Next burn in ~35 minutes.

 

[orb]

2nd burn of AVUM was successful. The spherical spacecraft has just separated. 3rd burn of AVUM ahead (in ~10 minutes), followed by separation of ALMASat-1 and CubeSats.

ESA: Vega liftoff

{colsp=2}

Click on images to enlarge​

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{colsp=2}

​

{colsp=2} On 13 February 2012, the first Vega lifted off on its maiden flight from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012​

 

[N_Molson]

Re-ignition of AVUM in 5 minutes.

---------- Post added at 11:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 AM ----------

Re-ignition successful. Altitude 1455.3 km, Velocity 6.80 km/s.

---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:08 AM ----------

Final and successful AVUM cutoff. :thumbup:

---------- Post added at 11:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 AM ----------

Beginning the separation sequence, that will be confirmed later by acquisition of the satellites by telemetry.

 

[IronRain]

Launch video:

 

[N_Molson]

People are congratulating themselves in the Jupiter control room, so I guess we have a success. :thumbup:

Another launcher for ESA's fleet !

 

[ADSWNJ]

Nice job, ESA, and Vega sure looked pretty on that launch. Quite appropriate that its mission was to send some serious Italian bling into orbit. Not quite sure what to make of the other 8 bits of space debris (err sattelites, I guess), but I'm sure it made the kids happy!

 

[orb]

ESA:
More on the flight

13 February 2012

All of Vega’s three solid-propellant stages performed as planned. The upper stage manoeuvred to reach a circular orbit at an altitude of 1450 km inclined at 69.5º to the equator. There, it released the primary payload, the LARES laser relativity satellite, a 37.6 cm-diameter sphere of tungsten alloy fitted with 92 laser retroreflectors. The mirrors will allow high-precision distance measurements to study a ‘frame-dragging’ effect predicted by Einstein’s theory of relativity.

The upper stage then manoeuvred again to reduce the orbit’s lowest point to 350 km, to the correct orbit for release of the ALMASat-1 technology microsatellite and the seven tiny university-sponsored picosatellites.

The upper stage then jettisoned its remaining propellants and shut down.

In order to limit the risk of creating new space debris, Vega’s upper stage is in an orbit that ensures reentry in a few years. It will be incinerated during descent, leaving only small pieces to reach the ground.

During the VV01 mission, a large amount of data was collected on Vega’s performance, as well as the environment experienced by the payloads.

In the coming weeks, this information will be analysed in depth to confirm the full qualification of the Vega launch system, which will then be handed over to Arianespace for marketing and operations.

New technologies for large solid-propellant motors were demonstrated under flight conditions by the P80FW first stage. As the largest monolithic solid-propellant motor ever flown, it features a composite casing, an advanced nozzle and electromechanical actuators for steering – a world first for a motor of that size.

These technologies will be used on future Vega flights, of course, but they are also available for future launchers being studied by ESA as part of the Next Generation Launcher initiative.

{...}

 

[N_Molson]

SpaceFlight Now : Mission success for Vega launcher's test flight

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: February 13, 2012

The first Vega rocket climbed away from a tropical spaceport in South America on Monday, successfully injecting nine satellites into orbit and inaugurating a new capability in Europe's growing launcher family.

Liftoff of the Vega rocket was at 1000 GMT (5 a.m. EST), or 7 a.m. local time in French Guiana. Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja

"A new member of the launcher family has been born," said Jean-Jacques Dordain, director-general of the European Space Agency. "Today is the first day of a new operational life, which doubtless will be a long and successful one. Vega is a launcher that's necessary for us at ESA. We've already reserved six launches."

The 98-foot-tall booster is aimed at Europe's institutional market, and officials say it will offer government science satellites an affordable, indigenous option for getting into space. Vega joins the stalwart Ariane 5 launcher, one of the most powerful rockets in the world, and a "Europeanized" version of Russia's Soyuz launcher at the Guiana Space Center, a spaceport in French Guiana.

"I was forbidden to buy any bottles of champagne before the launch, but we will drink everything in Guyane tonight," said Stefano Bianchi, ESA's Vega program manager, hailing a "perfect" mission which, at first glance, seemed to qualify the launcher to haul Europe's more costly satellites into orbit.

The Vega rocket lifted off at 1000 GMT (5 a.m. EST) from the Guiana Space Center, a South American facility that sits where the Amazon jungle meets the Atlantic Ocean. Vega's launch pad is the former home of the Ariane 1, Ariane 2 and Ariane 3 rockets, which flew from the facility from 1979 until 1989.

Blastoff occurred just after sunrise in French Guiana, and the launcher rapidly streaked into a mostly cloudy sky trailing an orange flame and plume of exhaust smoke.

Vega's first launch occurred a few minutes after sunrise. Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja

Vega's three solid-fueled motors fired in quick succession, then a Ukrainian upper stage engine ignited twice to reach a 900-mile-high orbit to release the rocket's primary payload, an Italian physics research satellite named LARES.

Another upper stage engine firing lowered the orbit before deploying eight more satellites: an Italian university demo craft named ALMASat 1 and seven CubeSats from other European learning institutions.

"Everything was really nominal as far as the data we had in real-time," Bianchi said in a post-launch interview from Kourou, French Guiana. "The orbit was perfect."

Monday's successful launch capped an 11-year, $1 billion development program led by Italy, which funded the majority of Vega's design, testing and implementation.

"We will have further data exploitation in the coming days, but so far the data that have are perfect, just perfect," Bianchi said.

Monday's qualification launch cost 40 million euros, or $53 million. Five more ESA missions are scheduled beginning in early 2013, when the next launch of Vega will hoist the Proba-V remote sensing satellite and multiple smaller payloads.

Vega pictured inside the mobile gantry on the launch pad. Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja

The third flight of Vega, set for late 2013, will loft ESA's ADM-Aeolus mission to measure global winds from orbit with a laser instrument.

The next five missions, collectively known as the Vega Research, Technology and Accompaniment program, will help support and secure Vega's place in the commercial market. It's an initial investment of 400 million euros, or $530 million, to keep Vega flying through 2014.

ESA managed Monday's mission, but Arianespace will oversee future Vega launch operations alongside the Soyuz and Ariane 5. Arianespace signed Vega's first two commercial launch contracts in December to deliver to Sentinel Earth observation satellites to orbit between 2014 and 2016.

"You've all placed your money on Vega, and you've won the bet," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace chairman and CEO, in remarks to dignitaries in Kourou. "Well done."

Vega's backlog now stands at seven firm missions.

Europe backed the Vega program to obtain a homemade launcher for its small institutional payloads, particularly remote sensing satellites and space science research probes.

The lead contractor for the Vega program is ELV SpA of Rome, a joint venture between the Italian space agency and Avio SpA, an Italian aerospace company.

The genesis of Vega comes from Italian operations of the U.S. Scout launch vehicle from the San Marco platform, an ocean-based launch site that was positioned off the coast of Kenya for missions from the 1960s through the 1980s.

After winning initial support of ESA member states in 1998, Italy funded 58 percent of Vega's development and spearheaded the development of new technologies for the launcher, including oversight of all four stages through Avio.

The addition of fresh technology, including next-generation computers, control software and advanced solid-fueled motors, was another objective of Vega's development.

Avio and Europropulsion, which is partially owned by Avio, led the design and testing of Vega's first stage motor, which generates up to 683,000 pounds of thrust for nearly two minutes. The motor, called the P80FW, is an evolution of the Ariane 5 rocket's solid rocket booster.

But Vega's first stage replaces Ariane 5's hydraulic steering actuators with an electromechanical system provided by Sabca of Belgium. The P80 motor is the first rocket stage of its size to use electromechanical actuators, which are lighter and easier to operate, according to engineers.

Another technological advancement tested by Vega is the use of carbon-epoxy filament-wound motor casings, which are cheaper to produce and more reliable than previous rocket motors, according to Avio.

"About 1-out-of-2 qualification flights failed in the last 25 years," Bianchi said. "I was pretty anxious about that because the system is completely new. All the motors are new, so you can imagine with such statistics, you can't sleep very well. I am amazed we achieved all our objectives."

Systems demonstrated on Vega could find their way into the heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket in the next few years, and ESA says the continent's next-generation launcher, Ariane 5's replacement, will rely on advancements made in the Vega program.

 

[orb]

ESA:
Central and eastern Europe make history with small satellites

13 February 2012

The first satellites entirely designed and built by Hungary, Poland, Romania are now orbiting Earth after today’s successful maiden flight of ESA's small Vega launcher.

The latest addition to Europe’s versatile family of space launchers, Vega carried nine satellites, seven of them built by European universities.

This group of ESA-sponsored educational CubeSats included Goliat from Romania, PW-Sat from Poland and Masat-1 from Hungary.

The unique opportunity to launch the first satellites from these countries was made possible by a fruitful collaboration between the ESA launcher and education programmes.

University of Bucharest’s Goliat being integrated into the first P-POD.

Credits: ESA / A. Reyes​

“Since Vega’s first mission was a qualification flight, ESA decided to offer the chance to European Universities of a free ride into space for small scientific or educational payloads,” noted Antonio Fabrizi, ESA’s Director of Launchers.

Following the agreement to include an educational payload, including up to six CubeSats, on Vega’s first flight, ESA issued a call that led to a flood of proposals from universities all over Europe.

As a result of the overwhelming response, the number of available CubeSat slots on Vega was increased to nine. Seven university teams eventually made it in time, including UniCubeSat-GG and e-st@r from Italy, XaTcobeo from Spain and Robusta from France.

The student teams took advantage of a rare and invaluable hands-on opportunity to design, develop and operate their own space missions.

Click on image to enlarge​

Members of the Masat-1 team with the main ground station antenna on the roof of the highest building of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics campus.

Credits: Dávid Czifra / Masat-1​

ESA provided technical expertise and educational support for integrating, testing and preparing the satellites for launch.

“The launch of these CubeSats on Vega, each carrying scientific or technology experiments, represents a huge educational achievement both by ESA, the student teams and their countries,” said Giuseppe Morsillo, well as for relations with ESA’s Member States.

“This success is particularly important for Romania, Poland and Hungary, as a clear demonstrator that investing in space also means bringing bright young talents – the workforce of the future – to the front line, so promoting and reinforcing from its very basis the competitiveness of our economies.”

Click on image to enlarge​

Working on PW-Sat integration.

Credits: Andrzej Kotarba​

“Romania, Poland and Hungary have a history of participation in several European space projects and activities,” commented Karlheinz Kreuzberg, Head of the ESA Director General’s Cabinet, whose team is also responsible for establishing cooperation agreements with non-ESA EU Member States and preparing their eventual membership of ESA.

“The next major step has now been achieved by these countries with the deployment of their first national satellites, extending the ground for collaboration on new, collaborative, European space ventures.”

Giuseppe Morsillo concluded, “This step is also very important as it helps in reinforcing the dialogue with European countries from ESA’s perspective of increasing the number of its Member States by progressively including other Member States of the EU.

“The transfer of ESA’s space knowhow to new partner countries can also definitively pass through an educational exchange.”

{...}



Here's the official ESA's video replay of the launch:

Universe Today: Flawless Maiden Launch for Europe’s New Vega Rocket

SPACE.com: Europe Launches New Vega Rocket on Maiden Voyage

Discovery News: Europe's Shiny New Vega Rocket Blasts Off

Spaceflight Now:

• PHOTOS: Vega's dawn blastoff (PHOTO GALLERY #1)
• PHOTOS: Vega's dawn blastoff (PHOTO GALLERY #2)

 

[Fabri91]

Congratulations to Arianespace and especially to the Engineers who developed Vega for the successful flight!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Rocketcam!

First views of the cameras mounted on board the Vega rocket for monitoring the performance of the rocket on its qualification flight has been released by the Italian Space Agency! :thumbup:

 

[orb]

Rocketcam view

Here's the same, but embedded into post: