LAUNCH CENTER

Success

Thu Dec 19 2013

Arianespace

Gaia

Launch Successful

LAUNCH PREVIEW

Launch Time

(9:12 AM UTC)

Launch Window Start

(9:12 AM UTC)

Launch Window End

(9:12 AM UTC)

RECOVERY OVERVIEW

Location

No Recovery Specified

Type

No Recovery Specified

Rocket Details

Name:

Soyuz STB Fregat-MT

Description:

The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. The first launch occurred from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload. The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.

MISSION OVERVIEW

Type: Astrophysics
Gaia's ambitious mission is to chart a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way, in process revealing the composition, formation and evolution of our galaxy.

COMPLEX OVERVIEW

Location

Kourou, French Guiana

Pad

Soyuz Launch Complex