Work has started at Kourou, French Guiana to establish a new launch pad for the small-to-medium payload Vega launcher developed in a joint venture between Avio and Italian Space Aency ASI under Arianespace supervision. The Vega Launch Zone is being built over the foundations of Ariane launch pad 1, which was abandoned in 1989. The new facility will include a bunker, plus a self-propelled structure to erect the Vega stages and to sustain the working platforms and safety systems. The new facilities are due to start operations early in 2007.
Source: Flight International