* Astronomy

Venus Express is now on its five-month, 250 million-mile flight to Venus. The relatively short voyage takes advantage of the close proximity between Earth and Venus this month.


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Venus Express begins its voyage with launch of the Soyuz rocket. Credit: ESA/Starsem


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The Soyuz rocket roars away from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Credit: ESA/Starsem

At least two correction burns by the Venus Express propulsion system are planned during the cruise phase of the mission, with the first coming within 48 hours after launch, if needed. Another manoeuvre in the February timeframe will calibrate the main engine, which is required during arrival at the planet for the make-or-break Venus orbit insertion burn. Other time slots have been reserved in case other adjustments are needed.


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Satellite cutaway

Two weeks from now, Venus Express will train its camera back toward the Earth and Moon for another test activity.

"Given the distance, this will be more a calibration for one of the instruments rather than a real picture" - Andrea Accomazzo, Express spacecraft operations manager.

An exhaustive series of checks of the probe's scientific payload will also be carried out during the first few weeks of the mission, followed by a complete characterization of the thermal behaviour of the craft in January and the main engine test in February before focus shifts to the fine navigation and other preparations in advance of the April 11 arrival at Venus.

T + 15 minutes
All systems nominal

Fregat upper stage burn to achieve initial parking orbit around the Earth

T + 6 minutes
Separation of protective shroud (the fairing)
All systems nominal

Ignition of the first stage.

Launch