A mobile gantry performed its initial rollout test at the Spaceport in French Guiana, South America, Arianespace announced.

The launch site and mobile gantry for the Arianespace Vega lightweight vehicle are part of the infrastructure at the Spaceport ELA-1 launch site, which had been used in the past for missions with Ariane 1 and 3 vehicles.

The original facility is being upgraded and updated, with the new gantry meeting Vega’s operational requirements.

During launch vehicle build-up and payload integration on the pad, the mobile gantry is moved into position around the fixed umbilical mast, offering protection from the weather and providing proper working conditions for launch team personnel. Once Vega’s assembly is complete, the gantry is rolled back to its parked position, clearing the launch pad for this lightweight vehicle’s liftoff.

The 50 meter-tall (164 foot) gantry structure has a maximum speed of 5 meters (16.4 feet) per minute, covering an 80-meter (262.5 feet) distance between the parked position and operational location.

Following the gantry’s initial rollout test, the structure will remain in its operational location for several weeks.

This permits launch pad tasks to be finished, including completion of work on the umbilical mast, along with installation of mobile access platforms and fluid supply lines.