PHOTOS: Ariane 5 rolls to launch pad

BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW

Posted: March 21, 2012

Mounted on a mobile platform and riding dual rail tracks, an Ariane 5 rocket rolled to its launch pad in French Guiana on Wednesday morning, making the journey from its assembly building in about one hour.

Rollout from the final assembly building began at 1415 GMT (10:15 a.m. EDT; 11:15 a.m. French Guiana time) and concluded at 1530 GMT (11:30 a.m. EDT; 12:30 p.m. French Guiana time).

Liftoff with the European Space Agency's third Automated Transfer Vehicle is set for 0434 GMT (12:34 a.m. EDT; 1:34 a.m. French Guiana time) Friday.

Photo credit: ESA/Stephane Corvaja















Expedition 29 Patch
Space models