images

The fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat- Venus Express probe

by

ESA/Starsem/S. Corvaja/Novapix

Reference

e-lru10-00010

Date

2007-09-07

The fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat vehicle carrying ESA's Venus Express probe, on its erector-transporter wagon in the MIK-40 assembly and integration building, in Baikonour, Kazakhstan. The vehicle, already fitted with its payload, will then be transferred to launch complex no.31 for four days of pre-launch check out and countdown rehearsals before the flight. The lift-off occurred at 04:33 CET (03:33 UT) on November 9, 2005, and Venus Express was successfully launched on a solar orbit toward Venus.