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08 March, 2008 15:42
As short while ago I participated in a communication loop with ESA's Franco Bonacina, Head of the Media Relations Office and DG Spokesman, who arrived in Kourou yesterday. He reported that there are no problems on the technical side with Jules Verne ATV or with the launcher. He also said the weather forecast remains the same - showers, but no concerns for launch.
-- Maria
7 comments | "Update from Kourou"
08-03-2008 • 16:33:26
Goodday Maria, Why wouldn't the shuttle launch in rain but ATV will? Thank you
08-03-2008 • 16:49:44
Hi Bill! Good question. Indeed, for the Space Shuttle, any rain at the launch pad or within the flight path is a 'no-go' for launch. The reason being that rain could damage the Shuttle's fragile thermal tiles, which protect the orbiter and its crew from the intense heat experienced during atmospheric reentry. So its a slightly different situation compared the Ariane launcher.
Maria
09-03-2008 • 01:16:21
information tres utilisable et claire avec de bonnes documentation
08-03-2008 • 17:51:10
Hi. Great job. Elementary question: If this payload is more than twice as heavy as any previous Ariane 5 payload, how risky is that? And what is the heaviest previous payload and its weight? Thanks.
08-03-2008 • 18:37:20
Hi Bruce,
The heaviest payload carried by an Ariane 5 to date was on 14 November 2007. According to the Arianespace website: "The Ariane 5 ECA launcher sets a new heavy-lift record, orbiting a total payload of more than 8 700 kg. with the Skynet 5B and Star One C1 satellites". If I am not mistaken, the heaviest single payload lifted by Ariane 5 is Envisat - ESA's very own environment satellite, which weighed in at 8 000 kg. See: http://www.arianespace.com/site/launcher/launcher_milestones.html Maria
08-03-2008 • 18:42:00
Sorry Bruce, I didn't answer the second part of your question - how risky is this? I'm no expert on Ariane 5, but this version of the launcher has been specially strengthened to carry the extra load. Read more in this article: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEMMYCK26DF_0.html
-- Maria
09-03-2008 • 16:55:38
Congatulation to the entire ATV Team! The blog is great and the video of the launch was outstanding. Our team here at NASA Glenn Research Center and ZIN Technologies, Inc. in Cleveland Ohio, has hardware in the ATV for the ride to the ISS. It is hardware for the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR). Great Job!
Brian Finley
ZIN Technologies