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Successful Launch of Integral

Posted by michael on from the up-up-and-away dept.

An anonymous submitter writes "The INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory has successfully launched from Baikonur at 4:41UT this morning. See ESA's launch page. Launch, upper stage, and solar panel deployment (the times when we held our breath) all went without a hitch. The most sensitive gamma-ray observatory yet is now beginning operations. See ESA's Integral pages for more about the mission."

3 of 16 comments (clear)

  1. Nice launch for the Russians... by 0x69 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I bet the folks in Moscow are feeling a lot better now (vs. right after yesterday's rocket-blew-up-29-seconds-after-launch disaster).

    This was a different model of rocket, launched from a different cosmodrome/spaceport/rocket range. Redundancy is next to Godliness.

    --
    It's easy to make up & spread cool- and credible-sounding stuff. Finding & checking hard facts is hard work.
  2. You think the ESA launches Protons in Kazakhstan? by 0x69 · · Score: 2, Informative

    From the full article on the ESA's web site...

    "In the framework of ESA's cooperation with Russia, a Russian Proton launcher was chosen to place the Integral (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) observatory in orbit. The launcher lifted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan today at 10:41 local time (06:41 CEST)."

    The ESA's site also makes it very clear that the R(ussian)SA was in charge of getting the satellite into orbit. Let me suggest that you read up on it.

    Notice my sig?

    --
    It's easy to make up & spread cool- and credible-sounding stuff. Finding & checking hard facts is hard work.
  3. Re:We? by Peter+T+Ermit · · Score: 4, Informative

    INTErnational Gamma Ray Astrophysical Laboratory.