Gaia

Mission

Gaia

Type: Astrophysics

Gaia's ambitious mission is to chart a three-dimensional map of the Milky Way, in process revealing the composition, formation and evolution of our galaxy.

Location

Soyuz Launch Complex

Kourou, French Guiana

151 launches have been at this location.

Rocket

Soyuz STB

Length: 46.3 meters
Diameter: 2.95 meters
First Launched: October 12, 2012

The 2.1b version adds an upgraded engine (RD-0124) with improved performance to the second stage. First launch took place from Plesetsk Cosmodrome Site 43 on 26 July 2008 with a classified military payload.

The 2.1b/ST version is sometimes called Soyuz ST-B.

The Soyuz STB rocket has been launched a total of 5 times with 5 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

Arianespace

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: ASA
Administration: CEO: Stéphane Israël
Founded: 1980
Launchers: Ariane 5 | Vega
Spacecraft:
Country: FRA

Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.