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By the numbers

• The Soyuz launch vehicle has been in continuous production since 1957, demonstrating its unmatched reliability with more than 1,700 missions to date.
• Vega, which made its maiden flight in 2012, is designed with a target payload lift capability of 1,500 kg. on missions to a 700-km. circular orbit.

Soyuz & Vega at the Spaceport

The Vega mobile gantry completes its initial rollout evaluation at Europe’s Spaceport ELA-1 launch site

These images show the ELA-1 facility’s mobile gantry moving from its parked location to the operational position around the site’s fixed umbilical mast – where Vega will be assembled on the launch pad.

February 20, 2009

The launch site for Arianespace’s new Vega lightweight vehicle came alive for the first time this week as the facility’s mobile gantry performed its initial rollout test at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This mobile gantry is part of the infrastructure at the Spaceport’s ELA-1 launch site, which had been used in the past for missions with Ariane 1 and 3 vehicles.  The original facility is being upgraded and updated, with the new gantry meeting Vega’s operational requirements. 

During launch vehicle build-up and payload integration on the pad, the mobile gantry is moved into position around the fixed umbilical mast, offering protection from the weather and providing proper working conditions for launch team personnel.  Once Vega’s assembly is complete, the gantry is rolled back to its parked position, clearing the launch pad for this lightweight vehicle’s liftoff.

The 50 meter-tall gantry structure has a maximum speed of 5 meters per minute, and it covers an 80-meter distance between the parked position and operational location.

Following the gantry’s initial rollout test, the structure will remain in its operational location for several weeks.  This will allow certain launch pad tasks to be finished, including the completion of work on the umbilical mast, along with the installation of mobile access platforms and fluid supply lines.