Arianespace has been selected by GHGSat Inc. to launch the GHGSat-C1 satellite on the Vega launch vehicle as part of the Small Spacecraft Mission Service flight in 2019.

Montreal, Canada-based GHGSat is building the GHGSat-C1 spacecraft to measure greenhouse gases emissions from industrial facilities around the world. GHGSat-C1 is a follow-on to the GHGSat-D spacecraft that has been operational in orbit since June 2016.

Toronto-based Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) is providing the satellite platform and managing the launch activities with Arianespace for GHGSat-C1.

The Vega Proof of Concept flight (POC flight) is the first mission of the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) a program initiated by the European Space Agency in 2016, with the contribution of the European Commission.

For all the European partners involved, its purpose is to perfectly address the burgeoning microsatellite market for both institutional and commercial needs with a new rideshare concept on the Vega light launcher.

Vega is part of the Arianespace launcher family, alongside the Ariane 5 heavy launcher and the Soyuz medium launcher, operated from the Guiana Space Center. Avio based in Colleferro, Italy, is the industrial prime contractor for Vega.

"GHGSat is excited by the opportunity to work with Arianespace and the Vega team," said Stephane Germain, CEO of GHGSat Inc.

SFL Director Robert Zee added: "The collaboration with Arianespace will provide additional access to space for our customers."

Following the signature of this contract, which is Arianespace's first with SFL and GHGSat, Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel said: "It's an honor that GHGSat chose Vega to launch GHGSat-C1. We're absolutely thrilled to be tasked with a mission that will help protect the environment."

Related Links
Arianespace
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

EU to be able to use Ariane 6 carrier rockets for manned space flights
Paris (Sputnik) Oct 17, 2018
The new EU Ariane 6 carrier rocket will be able to fulfill various tasks including ensuring manned space flights, President of the Ariane Group Alain Charmeau said. "The United States is surpassing Europe due to resumption of NASA and SpaceX manned flights starting from 2019. India is also surpassing Europe due to the program scheduled for 2022. Ariane 6 has not thought about implementation of such a task [manned flights] but it will be able to adapt," Charmeau told the Figaro newspaper. The ... read more