Just after one month from the SSMS Maiden Mission on Vega VV16, the SSMS module that will fly on the Vega VV18, scheduled for the beginning of 2021 after the next VV17 mission in November, is already fully booked.
Flight VV16 marks the success of SSMS (Small Spacecraft Mission Service) payload adapter maiden flight. 53 micro and nanosatellites have been deployed into Sun-Synchronous orbit.
During the night of the 15th of August the third successful launch of Ariane 5 took place from the French Guiana Space Center (CSG). The European launcher correctly placed into geo-stationary orbit the telecommunication satellites for B-SAT and Intelsat, plus a servicing payload for Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics LLC.
The Vega launcher, after a first stop in March due to Covid 19 epidemic and a second stop in June caused by exceptionally unfavorable weather condition, is now ready to resume operations.
Colleferro (Rome), 1st July 2020 – Vega VV16 flight operations have been interrupted by Arianespace due to the presence of exceptionally unfavorable high altitude easterly winds. The Vega launcher has been available and flightworthy since June 18 on the launchpad but did not receive a green light from the safety authority since then. Two launch chronology attempts were made during the past week but unfortunately interrupted shortly before lift-off due to conditions exceeding the allowable limits.
As winds at altitude above the Guiana Space Center remain unfavorable, the final chronology operations for Vega’s Flight VV16 mission have been suspended.
The Vega launcher and the 53 satellites on board are in a stabilized configuration, and in total safety.
As high-altitude winds above the Guiana Space Center remain unfavorable, Arianespace has taken the decision not to initiate the final chronology operations for Flight VV16 on Sunday June 87, 2020.
Subject to a favorable evolution of the weather conditions, another attempt will be made on Monday June 29.
The Vega launch vehicle and its 53 spacecraft payloads are in stable and safe conditions.
Today’s predicted meteorological conditions over the Guiana Space Center enable the consideration of resuming chronological operations for the 16th Vega Flight (VV16) launch.
Subject to confirmation of favorable conditions, the new targeted liftoff timing for the SSMS PoC flight is Saturday, June 27 at precisely:
> 9:51:10 p.m., Washington, D.C. time
> 10:51:10 p.m., Kourou, French Guiana time
> 01:51:10 a.m., Universal Time (UTC), on June 28
> 3:51:10 a.m., Paris & Rome time, on June 28.
As high-altitude winds above the Guiana Space Center remain unfavorable, Arianespace has taken the decision not to initiate the final chronology operations for Flight VV16 on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
A new target date will be announced as soon as possible, based on the evolution of weather conditions.
The Vega launch vehicle and its 53 spacecraft payloads are in stable and safe conditions.
Due to currently unfavorable wind conditions at altitude above the Guiana Space Center, Arianespace has decided not to initiate the final phase of launch preparation operations.
Subject to favorable weather conditions, the soonest possible launch date for the SSMS PoC Flight is Saturday, June 20 at:
