Vega flight VV06
Vega flight VV06 is the Vega space launch of the LISA Pathfinder satellite.[1][2]
Artwork featured on visitors' brochures | |
Vega launch | |
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Launch | 3 December 2015 , 04:04:00 UTC |
Operator | Arianespace |
Pad | Kourou ELV |
Payload | LISA Pathfinder |
Outcome | Success |
Vega launches | |
Payload
The flight was a single-payload mission that deployed the LISA Pathfinder scientific satellite into orbit. It had a total payload mass of about 1,986 kilograms (4,378 lb), including the satellite and its adapter, which is the Vega launcher's record (as of March 2019).[1][2]
LISA Pathfinder
The LISA Pathfinder spacecraft, a technology validation for the LISA mission, had a lift-off mass of approximately 1,906 kilograms (4,202 lb), and a design lifetime of 1 year. It was developed by Airbus Defence and Space for the European Space Agency's science directorate.[1]
It is Airbus's 114th spacecraft launched by Arianespace.[2]
Mission description
Launch date
The 6th successful Vega flight took place on 3 December 2015 at 04:04 UTC (3 December 2015 at 01:04 local time) from the ELV launch pad in Kourou, French Guiana.[2]
Timeline and trajectory
The mission was planned to last 1 hour, 45 minutes and 33 seconds from lift-off until separation, placing its payload into a low Earth parking orbit with a perigee of about 207 kilometres (129 mi), an apogee of about 1,540 kilometres (960 mi), and an inclination of about 5.96°, from which the spacecraft autonomously reached its L1 Lissajous orbit.[1]
Statistics
The launch was the 271st Arianespace mission (the 11th in 2015). LISA Pathfinder was the 523rd spacecraft to be put in orbit by Arianespace.
References
- "Vega Flight VV06 Press Kit" (PDF). Arianespace. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- "VV06: with Arianespace, Vega successfully places ESA's LISA Pathfinder technology demonstrator into orbit". Arianespace. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2019.