Arianespace is investigating failed Vega C rocket launch

Arianespace and ESA have launched an independent investigation into the cause of Tuesday evening’s failed launch of a Vega C rocket. There was an issue with the second stage of the relatively new European rocket.

Arianespace reported Previously, 2.5 minutes after launch from French Guiana, an anomaly occurred on the Zefiro 40 rocket stage, ending this Vega C mission. The ground release and rejection of the first stage occurred without any problems, as did the ignition of the second stage, but then a sudden loss of pressure was noted. Subsequently, the intended route was no longer completed and there were significant deviations. This ended the mission prematurely and the rocket was deliberately detonated. The two satellites on board, Pléiades Neo 5 and Pléiades Neo 6, were also lost. These should have completed Airbus’ Pléiades Neo Earth constellation.

The investigation committee is given the task to analyze the causes of the failed mission and to come up with solutions and measures so that flights with the Vega C rocket can take place again. There was a media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, but according to the Twitter account Space Voyaging became little information was shared and no questions were allowed to be asked. Arianespace said it will share more information as the investigation progresses.

Tuesday evening’s launch was the second mission of the new, 35-meter-high Vega C rocket. The rocket’s first launch took place in July and was successful. The second launch should have taken place on November 24, but that was earlier postponed by the discovery of broken equipment. The Vega C is a more powerful version of the existing Vega rocket that first flew in 2012. The Zefiro-40 engine, among other things, is new, replacing the Zefiro 23 of the original Vega rocket. The Zefiro stages contain solid fuel engines and are made by the Italian company Avio.