Europe’s Vega-C Rocket Launches Sentinel-1C Satellite into Orbit After Delays
AFP/APP
Kourou: Europe’s Vega-C rocket launched successfully on Thursday from French Guiana, marking its return to service after a two-year hiatus due to a failed flight in December 2022.
This mission is crucial for Europe’s autonomy in space exploration and included deploying the Sentinel-1C satellite for the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation program.
Following two days of delays, the Vega-C rocket took off at 6:20 PM local time (2120 GMT), placing the Sentinel-1C satellite into orbit at an altitude of around 700 kilometers (435 miles) after a flight lasting 1 hour and 43 minutes. Applause erupted at the Jupiter control center upon confirmation of the satellite’s successful deployment.
Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), praised the achievement, stating, “With the insertion of Sentinel-1C into orbit, ESA continues a legacy of steadfast Sentinels protecting the Earth. This success highlights the importance of secure flights, as what we send to space benefits Earth.”
Purpose of Sentinel-1C
The Sentinel-1C satellite will deliver high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, offering new capabilities for detecting and tracking maritime traffic. Its data will play a pivotal role in assessing the impacts of climate change and supporting the EU’s efforts to monitor and protect the planet.
Overcoming Challenges
The Vega-C’s return comes after addressing technical issues that caused its failure in 2022. The rocket’s Zefiro 40 motor nozzle was redesigned, and further checks and adjustments delayed this launch by two days. Mechanical issues with the rocket’s mobile gantry and electrical connection verifications also contributed to postponements.
Europe’s Space Challenges
Europe’s ability to independently launch missions has faced setbacks since Russia’s withdrawal of rocket services in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine.
Delays in the Ariane 6 rocket program further compounded the situation, pushing Europe to rely on competitors like SpaceX. However, the successful first flight of the heavy-lift Ariane 6 in July has brought some relief.
Future Launches
The lightweight Vega-C, designed for small satellite deployments in low-Earth orbit, has four launches planned for 2025 and five more in 2026. Its predecessor, Vega, saw its final mission in September, underscoring the importance of Vega-C’s return to active duty.
In parallel, ESA’s Proba-3 mission to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere was successfully launched on an Indian rocket earlier on the same day, adding another milestone to Europe’s space endeavors.
This successful Vega-C mission signals renewed momentum in Europe’s space ambitions, reinforcing its commitment to delivering critical data for climate and environmental monitoring.
