3 ms·
He's talking about the rocket, not the payload.
by maaku 15y ago
He's talking about the rocket, not the payload.
- antr 15y agoYou are right that it refers to the rocket, but the length of the project is due to the purpose and goal of the payload, not the development of the rocket. If you look at the history of the VEGA programme, and why it was started, you will see that the development of the rocket has been designed for the sole purpose of putting into orbit a unique combination of (scientific) satellites and picosatellites. The development of the rocket has always gone hand in hand with that of the payload. The rocket technology used in VEGA already existed, as Avio was already a big contributor in the Ariane 5. The primary user of this rocket, and the those who promoted VEGA, were and still are, the scientific community at European universities.