The composite unit of the launch vehicle adapter (LVA) and the Venus Express spacecraft, together called the 'stack', has been mechanically mated with the Fregat upper-stage rocket.
The activity was classified as 'hazardous' since both the spacecraft and the Fregat upper-stage are already fully loaded with highly flammable and toxic propellant. Venus Express carries around 570 kilograms and Fregat about 5000 kilograms of propellant.
The activity was carried out by a combined team from the Venus Express industrial consortium and the team from NPO-Lavotchkin who are designing and building the Fregat upper-stage.
Next activities include the connection of the umbilical cables between Fregat and the LVA, through which the Venus Express spacecraft is powered and commanded while still on the ground. This will be followed by a short spacecraft switch-on and functional test to provide a very basic validation of the spacecraft's on-board hardware.
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| • | Looking at Venus (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/index.html) |
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Launch replay
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| • | Venus Express launch (mms://esawms.cdnetworks.net/esawms/wmv/Venus_Express_launch_low.wmv) |
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Related articles
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| • | Venus Express performs flawlessly, LEOP complete (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEMK9UJBWFE_0.html) |
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| • | Venus Express mission operations update (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESOC/SEM780738FE_0.html) |
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| • | "Venus Express, give me a GO/NO GO for launch..." (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM6SV638FE_0.html) |
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| • | Venus Express: ready for lift-off (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEMAWL638FE_0.html) |
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| • | Green light for Venus Express launcher fuelling (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEMJVL638FE_0.html) |
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| • | Venus Express countdown activities started (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM93L638FE_0.html) |
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| • | Venus Express moved back to launch pad (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM24K638FE_0.html) |
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| • | Venus Express set for transport to launcher assembly building (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM1BB6Y3EE_0.html) |
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More about...
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| • | Status reports (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31575 &farchive_objecttypeid=30 &farchive_objectid=30930) |
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| • | Launch in detail (http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=31574 &farchive_objecttypeid=31 &farchive_objectid=30928) |
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| • | Venus Express factsheet (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Venus_Express/SEM2EE1A6BD_0.html) |
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Related links
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| • | Starsem - the Soyuz (http://www.starsem.com/) |
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| • | Venus Express operations (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEM7QMQJNVE_0.html) |
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| • | Cebreros station webcam (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEM26DSMTWE_0.html) |
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