Launch News Vega Flight VV-09 to Launch Sentinel-2B 1:49:24 UTC (March 7th)

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LAUNCH KIT: http://www.arianespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/VV09-launchkit-EN.pdf


MISSION OVERVIEW:

LAUNCH VEHICLE|Vega
LAUNCH DATE|March 6, 2017
STATUS|Upcoming
PAYLOAD(S)|Sentinel-2B
CUSTOMER(S)|European Space Agency (ESA)
PRIME CONTRACTOR(S)|Airbus
LAUNCH SITE|Spaceport, French Guiana (Guiana Space Center)
ORBIT|Sun-Synchronous orbit

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MISSION DESCRIPTION:

Flight VV09: A new Vega mission at the service of Earth observation with Europe’s Copernicus program​

For its third launch of the year – and the ninth to be performed by the Vega launcher since its first liftoff from the Guiana Space Center in 2012 – Arianespace will orbit the Sentinel-2B satellite, a part of Europe’s Copernicus Earth observation program, on behalf of the European Commission within the scope of a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA).

As a multi-purpose launch vehicle that already has demonstrated its capabilities during the eight previous successful missions, Vega is now fully operational in commercial service – and will be performing its sixth flight for Earth observation.

LAUNCH TIME:

FRENCH GUIANA|10:49:24 P.M. (MAR. 6)
UNIVERSAL TIME (UTC)|1:49:24 (MAR. 7)
PARIS, FRANCE|2:49:24 A.M. (MAR. 7)
WASHINGTON, D.C.|08:49:24 P.M. (MAR. 6)

PAYLOAD:

Sentinel-2B

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Copernicus is the European Commission’s Earth observation program. Its aim is to give Europe continuous, independent and reliable access to Earth observation data. It covers a vast spectrum of missions that will enable this continent to better control and protect the environment, enhance understanding of the underlying phenomena in climate change, as well as improve security for European citizens.

Sentinel-2B is the fourth satellite in the Copernicus program to be orbited by Arianespace, following the successful launches of Sentinel-1A by a Soyuz rocket in April 2014, Sentinel-2A by a Vega rocket in June 2015, and Sentinel-1B by a Soyuz in April 2016 – all performed from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

The Sentinel-2B Earth observation satellite primarily focuses on monitoring land masses and coastal zones around the world. Its data will be used for applications concerning the monitoring of vegetation, soil types and habitats. The spacecraft features a multispectral, wide-swath, high-resolution optical imaging instrument.

Sentinel-2B will be positioned in an orbit opposite that of Sentinel-2A to ensure optimum coverage and data delivery. The pair of Sentinel-2 satellites will cover the Earth’s entire surface in five days. This high frequency means they will capture brand-new views of the Earth, driving considerable progress in monitoring and predicting changes in vegetation
and aquatic pollution.

Sentinel-2B was built by a consortium led by Airbus.

THE LAUNCHER:

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FLIGHT PROFILE:

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COUNTDOWN AND FLIGHT EVENTS:

TIME|EVENTS
T- 09H 10MN|Start of final countdown
T- 06H|Activation of Multi-Functional Unit (MFU)
T- 05H 40MN|Activation of Inertial Reference System (IRS)
T- 05H 40MN|Activation of telemetry
T- 05H 10MN|Activation of Safeguard Master Unit (SMU)
T- 04H 50MN|Removal of safety devices
T- 04H 40MN|Activation of onboard computer and loading of flight program
T- 04H 30MN|IRS alignment and checks
T- 03H 15MN|Mobile gantry withdrawal (45 min.)
T- 02H 25MN|IRS alignment and checks after withdrawal of gantry
T- 01H 15MN|Activation of the telemetry transmitter after withdrawal of gantry
T- 01H 15MN|Activation of transponders and receptors
T- 00H 50MN|Launcher system ready
T- 00H 10MN|Final weather report prior to launch
T- 00H 4MN|Start of synchronized sequence
LIFTOFF|00:00
T+ 00H 1MN 55S|1st stage (P80) separation
T+ 00H 1MN 56S|2nd stage (Zefiro-23) ignition
T+ 00H 3MN 39S|2nd stage (Zefiro-23) separation
T+ 00H 3MN 51S|3rd stage (Zefiro-9) ignition
T+ 00H 3MN 56S|Fairing separation
T+ 00H 6MN 32S|3rd stage (Zefiro-9) separation
T+ 00H 8MN 23S|1st ignition of AVUM
T+ 00H 15MN 27S|1st cut-off of AVUM
T+ 00H 55MN 7S|2nd ignition of AVUM
T+ 00H 57MN 7S|2nd cut-off of AVUM
T+ 00H 57MN 57S|Separation of Sentinel-2B
T+ 00H 48MN 27S|3rd ignition of AVUM
T+ 00H 50MN|3rd cut-off of AVUM
T+ 00H 57MN 30S|End of the Arianespace mission

GALLERY:

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January 18. Sentinel-2B undergoes its pre-launch checkout in the Spaceport’s S1B payload processing facility.

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January 31. Vega undergoes stacking of its solid propellant stages at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

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February 20. The AVUM upper stage is hoisted for installation atop Vega at the Spaceport’s ZLV launch site.

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February 20. Sentinel-2B is encapsulated by its Vega payload fairing at the Spaceport.

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February 27. The Vega payload fairing containing Sentinel-2B is transferred to the ZLV launch site.

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February 27, 2017. Sentinel-2B, enclosed in Vega’s payload fairing, is hoisted for integration.

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February 27, 2017. The Vega payload fairing with Sentinel-2B is positioned for installation atop the four-stage vehicle.

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February 27, 2017. Sentinel-2B undergoes a deployment test of its solar panel in the Spaceport’s S3B clean room facility.
 
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