3 ... 2 ... 1 ... The Vega-C on its way into space!

3:15 p.m. Central European Time was the time yesterday: Vega-C, a new launch vehicle of the European Space Agency ESA, took off for its first flight into orbit.

On board is the LARES-2 (Laser Relativity Satellite 2) Satellite. It is a passive satellite, which is monitored from ground station lasers that will measure the frame dragging, or the Lense-Thirring effect, which is a distortion of space-time caused by the rotation of a planetary body, like earth.

The Vega-C was equipped with the Interstage 1/2 structure that was developed and qualified by #Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands. The static testing of this Interstage 1/2 was awarded to Applus+ IMA Dresden by Airbus DS NL.

Our experts have developed a specific test rig for the Full Scale Test of the Interstage 1/2, where  the structural integrity regarding strength and stiffness requirements was successfully proven!

The test mission was carried out and funded as part of an ESA programme. The prime contractor is Ariane Group.