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The first stage for the Vega-C rocket flight VV25 with Earth-observer Sentinel-1C, arrives at its launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, 4 October 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Europe\u2019s Vega-C rocket can launch 2300 kg into space, such as small scientific and Earth observation spacecraft. At 35 m tall, Vega-C weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad and reaches orbit with three solid-propellant-powered stages before the fourth liquid-propellant stage takes over for precise placement of satellites into their desired orbit around Earth. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.\u00a0Complementing the Ariane family to launch all types of payloads into their desired orbits, Vega-C ensures that Europe has versatile and independent access to space.<\/p>\n
Seen in this picture is the transport of the first stage from a booster storage facility at Europe’s Spaceport to the launchpad. The\u00a0first stage\u00a0P120C motor is one of the largest monolithic carbon-fibre solid-propellant rocket motors ever built in one piece to provide a significant increase in thrust at\u00a0liftoff. The P120C is also used as the side\u00a0boosters on\u00a0the\u00a0Ariane 6\u00a0rocket, creating an opportunity for Europe to scale up production by using it on two launch vehicles\u00a0in parallel.<\/p>\n
The launch in preparation marks Vega-C\u2019s return to flight, a key step in restoring Europe\u2019s independent access to space. The first commercial flight of Vega-C in December 2022 failed due to a nozzle issue in its Zefiro-40 motor. Since then, an improved nozzle design has undergone two successful firing tests, in May and October 2024, which demonstrated the motor’s ability to perform reliably under different pressure conditions and burn durations. These tests have confirmed the motor’s readiness, clearing the path for Vega-C\u2019s upcoming flight.<\/p>\n
Copernicus Sentinel-1C is the third Sentinel-1 satellite to be launched.\u00a0Carrying advanced radar technology to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of Earth\u2019s surface, the ambitious Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission has raised the bar for spaceborne radar.\u00a0The mission benefits numerous Copernicus services and applications such as those that relate to Arctic sea-ice monitoring, iceberg tracking, routine sea-ice mapping, glacier-velocity monitoring, surveillance of the marine environment including oil-spill monitoring and ship detection for maritime security as well as illegal fisheries monitoring.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n