Europe’s first-generation Vega rocket has blasted off for the last time, carrying the Sentinel-2C Earth observation platform into space. The launch marked a “fitting” farewell for the rocket, which was primarily responsible for deploying small Earth observation satellites in Polar orbit, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Vega lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana in the early hours of the morning. Built by Italian space firm Avio, the rocket stood 30 meters tall and weighed 137 tonnes. It used three solid-propellant stages with a fourth liquid-propellant stage to carry its payload.
The rocket’s most notable mission was in 2020, when it deployed 53 satellites into orbit on one single flight as part of the Small Spacecraft Mission Service proof of concept flight. In 2015, Vega conducted a reentry demonstrator that showed Europe has the technology to launch a vehicle to space and return it safely to Earth.
Avio is replacing Vega with its big brother — Vega-C, which promises larger payload capacity at a lower cost. Vega-C is scheduled to resume operations in November after a launch failure in 2022.
Vega’s decommissioning is a bittersweet moment for Europe’s space sector. The rocket enabled independent access to space for some key European missions, but never achieved commercial success. This problem haunts Vega-C and Europe’s latest heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6. Europe has had to contract launch missions to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, whose Falcon 9 is the world’s first orbital class reusable rocket.
Non-reusable European rockets struggle to find a niche
Neither Vega-C nor Ariane 6 are reusable. As competition grows, they may struggle to find their place in the market.
Europe’s first-generation Vega rocket has launched its final mission, carrying the Sentinel-2C Earth observation platform into space. This marks the end of an era for the rocket, which has been in service for 12 years and completed 20 flights. The European Space Agency (ESA) has hailed the launch as a “fitting” farewell for a rocket that played a crucial role in deploying small Earth observation satellites in Polar orbit.
During its time in service, Vega achieved several notable milestones. In 2020, it deployed 53 satellites into orbit on a single flight as part of the Small Spacecraft Mission Service proof of concept flight. Vega also demonstrated its reentry capabilities in 2015, showcasing Europe’s ability to launch a vehicle into space and return it safely to Earth.
With Vega’s decommissioning, Europe’s space sector is entering a new era. The rocket’s replacement, Vega-C, promises larger payload capacity at a lower cost. However, its development has been hindered by a launch failure in 2022, and its future success remains uncertain. As Europe’s space sector looks to the future, it must navigate the challenges of competing with companies like SpaceX, which has established itself as a leader in the industry with its reusable Falcon 9 rocket.