Europe’s Arianespace launched the Vega-C rocket on Thursday, marking a return to space for the upgraded Italian launcher after it failed two years ago. The rocket carried the Sentinel-1C satellite into orbit for the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme.
The launch from French Guiana’s Kourou launch pad was successful at 6:20 p.m. local time, and the satellite reached its 700-km orbit after a normal thermal control sequence. The Vega-C rocket is a key step in securing Europe’s access to space, following the delayed debut of Ariane 6.
Italy’s Avio manufactured the Vega-C, which was previously grounded due to an anomaly with a motor that destroyed two satellites. The company will now take over marketing efforts from 2025, as part of Italy’s plan for greater control over its space programme.
The Sentinel-1C satellite is equipped with radar technology to monitor the Earth’s environment in all weather conditions and support maritime safety and traffic management. This is the first satellite of a mission that will expand Copernicus, Europe’s largest Earth observation system, which holds the largest store of radar data.
The launch comes as Europe faces competition from private companies like SpaceX. A new joint European satellites company is reportedly being set up to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation in low Earth orbit.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/europes-vega-c-rocket-returns-space-after-two-year-gap-2024-12-05