08 Nov 2005 17:20

The Venus Express spacecraft successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 03:33 UT on 9 November 2005 on a Soyuz-Fregat rocket. One hour twenty minutes after launch the Fregat upper stage fired for a second time to send the spacecraft on a trajectory to intercept Venus in April 2006.

Click here for replay of launch.

Click here for official press release.
 

Launch Details

9 Nov 06:10 UTC, MET +02h 40m
Sun acquisition and successful deployment of solar arrays confirmed.

9 Nov 05:13 UTC, MET: +01h 40m
Fregat second stage has successfully fired and placed Venus Express into an escape trajectory

9 Nov 03:47 UTC, MET: +00h 14m
Fregat upper stage first firing successful and parking orbit achieved

9 Nov 03:44 UTC, MET: +00h 11m
All separation sequences confirmed

9 Nov 03:38:52 UTC, MET: +00h 05m 18s
Soyuz 2nd stage separation

9 Nov 03:37:48 UTC, MET: +00h 04m 14s
Fairing jettison is confirmed.

9 Nov 03:35:32 UTC, MET: +00h 01m 58s
First stage boosters separation has been confirmed

9 Nov 03:33:42 UTC, MET: +00h 00m 08s
End of vertical ascent

9 Nov 03:33:34 UTC Launch of Venus Express

9 Nov 03:33:14 UTC, MET: -00h 00m 20s
Ignition of booster and core engines at intermediate thrust level

9 Nov 03:32:49 UTC, MET: -00h 00m 45s
Transfer to on-board power supply

9 Nov 03:31:34 UTC, MET: -00h 02m 00s
Umbilical drops-off

9 Nov 03:30:59 UTC, MET: -00h 02m 35s
Pressurization of propellant tanks

9 Nov 03:23:00 UTC, MET: -00h 10m 00s
Spacecraft switched to internal power

9 Nov 02:49 UTC, MET: -00h 44m 00s
Removal of service platform

9 Nov 02:03 UTC, MET: -01h 30m 00s
End of launch vehicle fuelling

8 Nov 23:44 UTC, MET: -03h 49m 00s
Start fuelling of launch vehicle (lasts 2h 20m)

8 Nov 19:05 UTC, MET: -08h 28m 00s
Spacecraft pre-launch checks complete and commencement of launch configuration activities.