Vega-C Rocket Returns to Orbit After Two-Year Delay
Two years after a failed launch, the European Vega-C rocket soared back into space from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at around 10:20 p.m. CET. This successful launch represents a major milestone for the European Space Agency (ESA) and its aspirations for independent access to space.
Tech from Austria Aboard The Rocket
Adding to the excitement, this mission also carries Austrian technology into orbit. Both the thermal insulation and the satellite’s navigation receiver are products of Beyond Gravity, a domestic space company.
The shell is a multi-layer thermal insulation made of several layers of ultra-thin special films made of polyimide, which keeps the satellite’s instruments at the required operating temperature despite the extremely harsh environment in space, it said in a release. The navigation receiver makes it possible to determine the position of the satellite at an altitude of around 700 kilometers in space.
Crucial For ESA’s Ambitions
The return of the Vega-C is extremely important for ESA’s strategic goals. It marks a significant step toward independently launching smaller satellites, bolstering Europe’s capabilities in space exploration and observation.
The Vega C is a further development of the Vega rocket, which launched light satellites into space from 2012 until this fall. According to ESA, the new rocket can carry around 800 kilograms more load, i.e. bring a total of more than two tons of payload into space. It is also cheaper and can put satellites into orbits at different altitudes.
Europe’s space travel is intended to make it more competitive. According to ESA boss Josef Aschbacher, the Vega C covers exactly the area that ESA needs for many missions. “This is really a need that we haven’t been able to meet so far.”
A Tumultuous Journey Back To Flight
The road to this successful launch has been anything but smooth. While the Vega-C had a successful first flight in July 2022, its first commercial launch in December of the same year ended in failure. The rocket veered off course minutes after liftoff due to a problem with its Zefiro-40 engine, resulting in the rocket being destroyed and plummeting into the sea.
The recovering from the setback was compounded by a delay in the availability of the larger Ariane 6 rocket. Originally scheduled to launch in 2023, the Vega C’s return was hindered by the ongoing analysis and testing required after the December failure.
According to Avio, the main Italian contractor for the Vega-C, the Ukrainian-made engine nozzle had not undergone sufficient testing prior to the failed launch. In a demonstration of commitment, Avio admitted responsibility and declared that the new nozzle originated from France.
ESA, facing a critical absence of launch options, even turned to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets for satellite launches, highlighting the urgency to get the Vega-C operational again.
Renewed Confidence propels the Mission
The Vega-C now carries the Sentinel-1C satellite for the European Earth observation program Copernicus, a mission that holds significant weight for ESA.
“We are really very confident that everything will go well today,” said ESA’s Josef Aschbacher, expressing optimism about the launch sequence.
Despite the earlier setback and persistent challenges, confidence in the Vega-C is high. A final test came just hours before launch when a
technical delay postponed the liftoff scheduled for Wednesday evening. Technical difficulties persisted as a movable portal around the rocket couldn’t clear away for the launch.
This successful launch of Vega-C signifies a critical return for ESA, reinforcing its position in the global space arena and paving the way for numerous future space exploration and observation missions.
What were the improvements made to the Vega-C compared to the original Vega rocket?
## Interview: ESA’s Vega-C Returns to Orbit
**(Intro Music)**
**Host:** Welcome back to Space Today! We have exciting news to share about the European Space Agency’s Vega-C rocket, which successfully returned to orbit after a two-year delay.
Joining us today is Dr. Elena Sanchez, a spaceflight analyst at the International Space Institute. Dr. Sanchez, welcome to the show.
**Dr. Sanchez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, tell us, Dr. Sanchez, what made this launch so significant for the ESA?
**Dr. Sanchez:** This successful mission marks a crucial turning point for ESA. The Vega-C is designed to launch smaller satellites into orbit, filling a gap in their capabilities. As ESA aims to independently access space for a wider range of missions, the Vega-C is a vital component, offering a cost-effective and reliable launch platform for various payloads. [[1](https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Launch_vehicles/Vega-C)]
**Host:** You mentioned ESA’s aspirations for independent access to space. What does that mean exactly?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Europe wants to reduce its reliance on other countries for launching their own satellites.
Having a reliable and capable launch vehicle like Vega-C allows them to control their own space exploration and observation programs without depending on external partnerships for access to orbit.
**Host:** The Vega-C is a further development of the original Vega rocket. What are some key improvements?
**Dr. Sanchez:** The Vega-C can carry significantly more payload, about 800 kilograms more than its predecessor, bringing the total payload capacity to over two tons. This enables it to launch larger and more complex satellites.
It’s also more versatile, capable of putting satellites into different orbits, making it suitable for a wider range of missions. [[1](https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Launch_vehicles/Vega-C)]
**Host:** There was a delay due to a failed launch in December 2022. Can you shed some light on what happened and how the ESA addressed the issue?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Yes, the first commercial launch unfortunately ended in failure due to a problem with the rocket’s second stage engine. The ESA conducted a thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the failure. Based on their findings, they implemented necessary modifications to the rocket’s design and conducted extensive testing before this successful launch.
**Host:** Speaking of this launch, it’s carrying Austrian tech into space!
ID: Absolutely! This mission carries innovative thermal insulation and a navigation receiver developed by Beyond Gravity, a leading Austrian space company. Their specialized materials ensure the satellite’s instruments operate at optimal temperatures despite the extreme conditions in space. The navigation receiver plays a crucial role in pinpointing the satellite’s position at an altitude of around 700 kilometers.
**Host:** It’s inspiring to see European collaboration both in achieving independent space access and fostering innovation within the continent.
Dr. Sanchez, thank you for sharing your expertise with us today and giving us such insightful perspectives on this important
milestone.
**Dr. Sanchez:** My pleasure. I am excited to see what the future holds for the ESA and
the Vega-C.
**(Outro Music)**
