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Three U.S.-built satellites in French Guiana for Ariane 5 launch
The next flight of Europe's heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket, set for July 28 from French Guiana, will carry a record payload of three multi-ton satellites toward geostationary orbit, including a pair of U.S.-built commercial communications payloads and Northrop Grumman's second robotic satellite servicing spacecraft.
After weather delays, Arianespace delays Vega launch to recharge batteries
After an unusual stretch of excessive high-altitude winds prevented launch from French Guiana of 53 small satellites on a Vega rocket in June -- and no sign of a letup in winds in the coming days -- Arianespace said Wednesday that the mission will be delayed to Aug. 17 to allow time for teams to recharge launcher and payload batteries.
VideoLive coverage: Vega launch of 53 smallsats again delayed by high-altitude winds
After months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Arianespace scrubbed back-to-back Vega launch attempts Saturday and Sunday due to unfavorable high-altitude winds over the European-run Guiana Space Center in South America. The Vega rocket is awaiting launch on a rideshare mission carrying 53 small satellites into orbit for 21 customers in 13 countries.
Cluster of international satellites ready for ride into orbit on Vega rocket
Debuting a two-tier structure designed to accommodate dozens of small satellites on a single mission, an Italian-made Vega rocket is set for liftoff Saturday night from the northeastern coast of South America on a flight to demonstrate European industry's answer to growing rideshare launch demand.
Vega rocket’s return-to-flight launch waits for improved wind conditions
The first launch of an Italian-made Vega rocket since an in-flight failure nearly one year ago has been postponed to no earlier than Monday night due to unfavorable upper level winds over the Vega launch base in Kourou, French Guiana.
Arianespace to resume launch preparations in French Guiana
Targeting a pair of satellite launches in June and July, ground teams will resume work at the Guiana Space Center in South America next week after a nearly two-month pause in Arianespace's launch campaigns due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Launches from French Guiana suspended due to coronavirus
Launch campaigns at the European-run spaceport in French Guiana -- a home base for Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega rockets -- have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Arianespace said Monday.
Italian maker of Vega rocket says launch remains on track for later this month
The head of Italian rocket-maker Avio said Thursday that preparations are proceeding without interruption for the launch of a Vega rocket later this month in French Guiana, but officials have adjusted work schedules at the company's Vega manufacturing plant near Rome in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Soyuz launch with UAE surveillance satellite facing one-month delay
Russian and European teams at the Guiana Space Center in South America plan to detach a UAE spy satellite from its Soyuz launcher to replace the rocket's Fregat upper stage, forcing a likely delay until April from the mission's original launch date of Friday.
Ariane 5 deploys communications and environmental monitoring satellites
A Japanese-owned communications satellite built in Colorado and a South Korean environmental monitoring observatory shared an Ariane 5 rocket ride into orbit Tuesday from the South American jungle.