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With just a few hours to go before the launch of the Biomass mission from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, here is a look back at the key stages in the preparation of this unique satellite.

On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at 6:15 a.m., as the sky over Kourou was bathed in the first light of dawn, the Vega C rocket successfully lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

On April 29, 2025, Vega-C will launch Biomass, the European Space Agency’s Earth Explorer satellite from Europe spaceport at 6:15 a.m. local time (09:15 a.m. UTC, 11:15 a.m. CEST).

The hot-fire test of the new P160C motor, intended for Ariane 6, Vega-C, and Vega-E, is scheduled for 24 April between noon and 4 p.m. It will be conducted at Europe’s Spaceport on the solid booster test bench (BEAP).

On April 29, 2025, Vega-C will launch Biomass satellite from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 6:15 a.m. local time (09:15 a.m. UTC, 11:15 a.m. CEST).

ESA’s Biomass satellite has arrived at Europe’s spaceport, where it will prepare for a launch scheduled for late April onboard a Vega-C rocket.

From the first Ariane L01, through Soyuz and the various versions of the Ariane and Vega families, the history of the space industry in French Guiana has been built over the course of launches and human discovery.

Recap of the past year and a look ahead to the major milestones expected in 2025.

On 5 December, the Vega-C launcher returned to flight, successfully placing the Sentinel-1C satellite in orbit.

Europe's Vega-C launch vehicle offers a flexible and versatile launch solution for a wide range of low-Earth orbit missions.