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> Transfer of the fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat vehicle

Transfer of the fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat vehicle

author: ESA/Starsem/S. Corvaja/Novapix

reference: e-lru10-00011

Image Size 300 DPI: 30 * 20 cm

The fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat vehicle carrying ESA's Venus Express probe, on its erector-transporter wagon, arrives at its pad on launch complex no.31, in Baikonour, Kazakhstan, for four days of pre-launch check out and countdown rehearsals before the flight.The Venus Express spacecraft and its Fregat upper stage are enclosed in the white payload fairing. The blue and grey hoses provide environmental control to the payload during the transfer.The pad's umbilical mast and support jaws are visible in the background.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.

Keywords for this photo:

2005 - BAIKONUR - KAZAKHSTAN - LAUNCHER - PREPARATION - ROCKET - SOYUZ - SOYUZ-FREGAT - SPACE CENTER - VENUS EXPRESS -