ESA launches new Vega-C rocket for the first time

The European Space Agency ESA has successfully launched the Vega-C rocket carrying seven scientific satellites. It is the first launch of the Vega-C, the new launch vehicle that should serve as an alternative to the Russian Soyuz.

The rocket lifted off from Europe’s Kourou launch site in French Guiana on Wednesday afternoon. That happened after the launch was halted twice during the countdown process. The rocket brought up seven satellites from different European countries. These were all scientific satellites, of which the Italian Lares-2 is the most prominent. This satellite will, among other things, conduct research into the effect of gravity on spacetime. In addition, six smaller cubesats will travel with the rocket.

With a height of 34.8 meters, the rocket is almost five meters taller than its predecessor. More importantly, the Vega-C can carry 2.3 tons of cargo to polar Earth orbit and 3.3 tons to low Earth orbit. That is almost twice as much as the original rocket.

The launch of Vega-C is an important milestone for the European Space Agency. The rocket is the successor to the original Vega rocket, which has made 20 flights since 2012, two of which have failed. ESA uses the Vega for launching small to medium-sized satellites.

The Arianespace company used Russian Soyuz rockets for nearly a quarter of its launches, in addition to its own Ariane 5 rocket. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Europe imposed tough economic sanctions on Russia, it has become impossible to use Soyuz rockets for launches. With the Vega-C, Europe wants to become more independent from other countries for launching satellites.

A total of thirteen European countries made a technical contribution to the development of the rocket. The Dutch Airbus Space built the intermediate piece between the first and second stages.