Photos: Gaia Spacecraft to Map Milky Way Galaxy

By Space.com Staff
published

Soyuz VS06 Raised into Vertical Position

ESA–M. Pedoussaut

Soyuz VS06 was rolled out horizontally on its erector from the preparation building to the launch zone and then raised into the vertical position on Dec. 14, 2013. The image was released Dec. 15, 2013.

Hoisting of Upper Composite

ESA–M. Pedoussaut

The Soyuz VS06 upper composite, Gaia space observatory, was transferred to the pad and installed inside the mobile gantry on Dec. 14, 2013. The image was released Dec. 15, 2013.

Soyuz VS06 Upper Composite

ESA–M. Pedoussaut

This image shows the Soyuz VS06 upper composite, Gaia space observatory, transferred to the pad and installed inside the mobile gantry on Dec. 14, 2013. The image was released Dec. 15, 2013.

Upper Composite Installed Inside Mobile Gantry

ESA–M. Pedoussaut

This image shows the Soyuz VS06 upper composite, Gaia space observatory, transferred to the pad and installed inside the mobile gantry on Dec. 14, 2013. The image was released Dec. 15, 2013.

Europe's Gaia Spacecraft Blasts Off

ESA–S. Corvaja, 2013

A Soyuz-Fregat rocket carrying the European Space Agency's galaxy-mapping Gaia probe launches from French Guiana on Dec. 19, 2013.

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.