Final checkout of Europe’s new Vega launcher was completed
a week ago Friday, marking another milestone towards its maiden
flight from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The
first Vega launch campaign began in November with the installation
of the P80 first stage on the launch pad. The two solid-propellant
second and third stages were added to the vehicle, followed by the
AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module –
liquid-propellant fourth stage.
Twin NASA spacecraft that achieved orbit around the moon New
Year's Eve and New Year's Day have new names thanks to elementary
students in Bozeman, Montana. Their winning entry, "Ebb and Flow,"
was selected as part of a nation-wide school contest that began in
October 2011.
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