Europe has officially said goodbye to its trusty Vega rocket, sending it off on its final mission to deliver the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth-observation Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite into orbit. This marked the end of an era for the Vega, which has been a reliable workhorse for the past 12 years, carrying out numerous vital missions for ESA.
The launch, which took place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on September 5th at 3:50 a.m. CEST, was a resounding success. The Sentinel-2C satellite was successfully deployed into orbit approximately 15 minutes after liftoff. This new satellite will join forces with its predecessor, Sentinel-2B, and eventually replace the older Sentinel-2A, forming a powerful trio dedicated to monitoring Earth’s health.
From their vantage point almost 500 miles above Earth’s surface, the Sentinel satellites play a crucial role in observing our planet. Their data is used for various vital functions, including monitoring crop health, managing natural disasters, and keeping tabs on water quality.
The Vega rocket, a product of the Italian aerospace company Avio, has been a cornerstone of many ESA missions. It launched several significant satellites, including the wind-monitoring Aeolus and the vegetation-observing Proba-V, into space.
While the Vega rocket’s era has come to an end, the future of European space exploration is bright. The next generation, the Vega-C rocket, is poised to take over. This upgraded model had a successful maiden flight in July 2022, but unfortunately, a second launch in December 2022 ended in failure just minutes after liftoff, resulting in the loss of the rocket and its payloads. A faulty nozzle was identified as the culprit for the mishap, and while the issue has been diagnosed, the Vega-C has yet to return to flight.
However, ESA remains optimistic about the future of the Vega-C. A static-fire test using a new nozzle is scheduled for October, and if successful, the Vega-C could be back in action as early as late November.
This farewell to the Vega marks a significant milestone in European space exploration. While the Vega’s legacy is one of remarkable achievements, the future looks promising with the Vega-C, ready to carry on the torch and usher in a new era of space exploration.
