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On 22 October 2024, the fourth stage for the Vega-C rocket flight VV25 with Earth-observer Sentinel-1C was hoisted to the top of the rocket at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and placed on the third stage in preparation for launch.\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 fourth stage to the launchpad. This Attitude Vernier Upper Module, AVUM+, provides several improvements over the fourth stage used on Vega-C\u2019s predecessor, the Vega rocket. These include a composite skin sandwich structure, more propellant and main engine reignition capabilities, allowing Vega-C launches to be more flexible for multi-payload missions.<\/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\u00a0Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission\u00a0has 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