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Vega-C
Europe's Vega-C launch vehicle offers a flexible and versatile launch solution for a wide range of low-Earth orbit missions.
C for Consolidation
European launch vehicle Vega-C is the successor to Vega. This development delivers enhanced performance while reducing operating costs. Its maiden flight was successfully completed on 13 July 2022. After the failure of its second mission at the end of 2022, the Vega-C launch vehicle successfully returned to flight on 5 December 2024.
With a payload capacity 1.5 times greater than that of Vega, Vega-C is able to carry up to 2.2 tonnes into polar orbit, at an altitude of 700 km. This performance meets the needs of European institutional users and also commercial and small-satellite market users. Vega-C is particularly well suited to the launch of Earth observation satellites, but also to the deployment of satellite clusters.
Vega-C is a European programme that complements Ariane 6. The two launch vehicles share a common component: P120C, the first stage of Vega-C and the booster of Ariane 6. Its development is orchestrated and funded by the European Space Agency. The prime contractor for the launch vehicle is the Italian manufacturer Avio. Thirteen countries are participating in the launch vehicle’s development: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The Vega-C launch vehicle on its launch pad.
Technical characteristics
Vega-C is composed of three stages powered by solid propellant and a fourth stage that uses liquid propellant.
Height: 34.8 m
Diameter: 3.4 m
Lift-off weight: 210 tonnes
The 1st stage of Vega-C is the P120C engine, also known as the booster. Containing 142 tonnes of powder, it is the largest monolithic carbon-fibre solid rocket engine ever built. P120C is also used for Ariane 6 boosters.
The second stage, powered by the new Zefiro-40 engine, is equipped with around 36 tonnes of solid propellant.
The third stage, the Zefiro-9 engine, derived from Vega, burns 10 tonnes of solid propellant.
The AVUM+ engine on the upper stage provides propulsion for the launch vehicle after the third stage has shut down and separated. Capable of reigniting several times, it can adjust its trajectory to place satellites in orbit with the utmost precision, and it de-orbits the stage at the end of the mission to leave no debris in space.
The upper stage is topped by the fairing, which contains the satellites and protects them from thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic impacts as they pass through the atmosphere.
Vega-C has improved satellite transportation, due to its fairing in particular, which is larger than that of its predecessor Vega, and the use of the SSMS (Small Spacecraft Mission Service) dispenser, which enables several small payloads to be carried simultaneously.
The improvements made to the launch vehicle will enable Vega-C to achieve a payload performance around 800 kg higher than that of Vega.
Composition of the Vega-C launch vehicle.
Preparing for a launch
Arrival and transport of the main components
The Vega-C launch vehicle components arrive by ship at the port of Pariacabo in Kourou. They are then transported by road to Europe’s Spaceport. They are stored and then transported to the Vega launch pad, under the mobile gantry.
Assembly
Once the first stage has been placed under the mobile gantry, it is joined by the second and third stages. The upper stage is then integrated on top and filled with propellant.
Encapsulation and final assembly
Before being placed in its fairing in the preparation hall, the satellite is attached to a structure that will allow it to separate from the rocket and reach the correct orbit.
Once the fairing has closed around the payload(s), it is ready for transfer to the launch pad.
For final assembly of the launch vehicle, the fairing is transferred under the mobile gantry last of all. It is then hoisted and assembled above the upper stage.
Final operations and lift-off
Two hours before lift-off, the mobile gantry is moved back.
Checks are carried out right up to the last minute prior to launch to ensure that the launch vehicle is ready to accomplish its mission and that the launch pad is operational.
Vega-C can lift off.
The launch process
10, 9, 8, 7 ,6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Lift-off!
The flight sequence begins with the ignition of the P120C engine. After about two minutes of combustion, it separates from the launch vehicle.
When the 2nd stage ignites, the Zefiro-40 engine takes over from P120C and continues to propel the launch vehicle for around two minutes. It then separates and the Zefiro-9 third stage provides the thrust for the launch vehicle.
Once at an altitude of more than 140 km, outside the atmosphere, the two half-fairings separate, leaving the satellites to continue their journey in the open.
After two minutes and thirty seconds of propulsion, the Zefiro-9 detaches from the launch vehicle.
The re-ignitable AVUM+ engine then takes over to propel the upper stage to the orbits where the satellites are to be released. How long it operates depends on its mission.
Once the satellites have separated, the engine is fired one last time to de-orbit the upper stage and avoid leaving debris in the atmosphere.
Mission accomplished for Vega-C!
A Vega-C launch campaign in pictures.
Arrival and unloading components of the Vega-C launcher at the port of Pariacabo in Kourou.
P120C engine is being transferred from the Propulsion Integration Building (BIP) to the Launch Area (ZLV).
The Zefiro-9 engine is being transferred to launch area (ZLV).
Hoisting of the Zefiro-9 engine on the launch pad.
Transfer of the fairing of Vega-C launcher on its truck called Upper Composite Trailer (UCT) which ensures its ventilation during transport between the Encapsulation Building and the launch area.
Removing of the mobile gantry in the launch area, Vega-C is now ready for lift-off.
History of launches
Find out more about the history of launches at Europe’s Spaceport, from the first Ariane L01 to the present day.
Lift-off flight VV25.