Hi Leo The geometry is unique for launches to Galileo-like inclinations. Soyuz at CSG is mainly for launches to low inclination to get the power of a reliable medium lift launcher plus the added advantage of the Earth's rotation. Launching GIOVE from CSG gave no advantage from the Earth's rotation over that available from Baikonur. Arianespace is unlikely to waste future commercial Soyuz launch slots in this way. This was a demonstration flight and I suspect choice of an ESA payload for the mission was so that any issues arising did not impact on a commercial customer directly. We're heading off topic. I'll not post any more non-relevant comments directly to Seesat. Bob Christy ======================================== Leo Enright wrote: I note that the Galileo IOV-1/Fregat-MT passed over Europe while the Fregat was still burning. I cannot remember a previous occasion when a spacecraft was still in its initial boost phase when it reached Europe. Is this geometry unique for the Galileo IOV/Fregat-MT missions, so that it will only happen once more? Or does anyone want to guess if this will be a regular feature of Soyuz launches out of the CSG? Presumably there's a chance that some launches might be visible from Europe during boost? And where does the second stage land? Mid- Atlantic I assume, but just checking. Thanks, Leo Enright _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-l
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