Vega's first launch campaign

The first Vega launch campaign began on 7 November 2011 at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

This time-lapse shows the full assembly of the first Vega launcher at the launch pad, in preparation for its qualification flight. It starts with the transfer and installation of the P80 first stage from the Vega Booster Storage and Preparation Building to the launch pad, followed by the two solid-propellant second and third stages, the Zefiro-23 and Zefiro-9. The next step was to add the AVUM -- Attitude & Vernier Upper Module -- liquid-propellant fourth stage to the vehicle. The 'upper composite' -- the fairing and payload -- was moved to the pad on 24 January and integrated over night.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[sarq1]

Very big and expensive launch facility could be raised when it's buy from public money. If money is private there is no need to raise launch facility. Look at nearly 2 times higher rocket standed up: NXghjXtNmHY

[AvoinTarina]

No launch?! Dammit...



[blablubb12345]

There are 3 launch komplexes at Kourou. ELA 1 was used to launch Ariane 1-3 and was converted for Vega. ELA 2 was build for Ariane 4, this is where the Soyuz pad was constructed. Ariane 5 lifts off from ELA 3.

[IceFritzLanger]

Beautiful video, thanks for sharing it with us =)

[cruxader27]

how can they launch this in Kourou? is the launchpad only suitable for soyuz.?

[mundoovni]

Incredible! Thanks ESA! :)

[etbadaboum]

Magique. A quand le compte à rebours ?

[Michael Howard]

At long last!! Been waiting years for this rocket to come into being!

[asmeredakcja]

Where's any music? ACTA campaign? :->

[EuroSon99]

Incredible. Beautiful rocket. Lets hope for total launch success.