Monday, February 13, 2012

Europe Launches New Vega Rocket on Maiden Voyage

Date: 13 February 2012 Time: 05:00 AM ET
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The European Space Agency's first Vega rocket lifts off from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in a flawless launch debut on Feb. 13, 2012.
The European Space Agency's first Vega rocket lifts off from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in a flawless launch debut on Feb. 13, 2012.
CREDIT: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012
A brand-new rocket soared into space early Monday (Feb. 13) in a launch debut that carried nine small satellites and the hopes of the European Space Agency all the way into orbit.
The space agency's new Vega rocket, which is designed to launch small satellites, blasted off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, on the northern Atlantic coast of South America and reached orbit minutes later. Liftoff occurred at 5 a.m. ET (1000 GMT).
"Today is a moment of pride for Europe as well as those around 1,000 individuals who have been involved in developing the world's most modern and competitive launcher system for small satellites," said Antonio Fabrizi, ESA's launch vehicle director, in a statement.

MORE: http://www.space.com/14548-europe-launches-vega-rocket-maiden-voyage.html

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