Successful takeoff and mission accomplished in a completely nominal manner for Vega-C. The European light launcher launched at 10:20 p.m. from the European Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying the Sentinel-1C satellite from the Copernicus program in its fairing. One hour and fifty minutes after takeoff, Sentinel-1C was placed into orbit.
A success after the failure of the Vega-C flight in 2022
An undeniable relief for the teams of Esa, Avio (builder of Vega-C), Arianespace and all the companies involved in the construction of the Sentinel-1C satellite including Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space, after the failure of a commercial flight of the rocket in December 2022.
At the time, a defect on a nozzle of the Zefiro-40 engine of the second stage led to an in-flight explosion and the loss of the two satellites Pléiades Neo 5 and Pléiades Neo 6 which were to complete the constellation of Pléiades Neo terrestrial imaging satellites. of Airbus. It took two years to make the necessary technical modifications and validate them with two static firings in May and October 2024.
With Ariane 6 and Vega-C, Europe consolidates its independent access to space
35 meters high, Vega-C has four floors. It can carry a payload of 2.3 tonnes into low polar and sun-synchronous orbits of 700 kilometers. The rocket is capable of carrying cargo of various shapes and sizes, ranging from CubeSats to a single large payload.
“ Today's launch marks a crucial step forward, reaffirming Europe's independent access to space. With the return to flight of Vega-C and the inaugural launch of Ariane 6 in July, we are in an excellent position moving forward and I salute the teams across Europe and at the Spaceport who have worked hard and tirelessly to achieve this success “, said Toni Tolker-Nielsen, director of space transportation at Esa.
The first Sentinel-1A satellite took off in 2014. It was joined by Sentinel-1B in 2016, but the latter experienced a failure which led to its deorbit. Sentinel-1C replaces it to reform the duo which flies in the same orbit but spaced 180° apart. Next year, Sentinel-1D will succeed Sentinel-1A.
Copernicus is a versatile program
The Sentinel-1 satellites participate in the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation program. They feature C-band synthetic aperture radar to take high-resolution images of the Earth's surface. The data powers services for public authorities, businesses and individuals.
According to Esa, satellites are used in particular for monitoring and mapping the sea ice, detecting oil spills, tracking ships, mapping forests, water and soil resources or even for support humanitarian aid.
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