Europe’s Vega small-satellite launcher is preparing for its final mission, marking the end of an era for the European Space Agency (ESA). The swansong mission, Vega VV24, is set to lift off at around 3:50 am CET on Thursday. This launch will carry the 2-C Copernicus satellite, which will provide crucial images for scientific research, including monitoring Earth’s declining ice levels. The 2-C is intended to replace the Sentinel 2-A, which is currently in orbit.
Vega’s payload is expected to be deployed into orbit 57 minutes and 20 seconds after launch, with ground crews hoping to establish communication with the satellite about 12 minutes later. Originally slated for Tuesday, the mission was postponed due to electrical issues on the ground.
Vega, composed of four stages, has been a reliable asset for ESA since its introduction in 2012, with 22 missions under its belt. The rocket features solid propellant motors for the first three stages and liquid propulsion for the final stage. Vega has been instrumental in numerous missions, including the Proba-V mission in 2013, which mapped global land cover and vegetation, and the 2018 “Proof of Concept” launch that deployed 53 satellites using a demo payload dispenser.
As Vega retires, it makes way for its successor, the Vega-C, which boasts improved features, including new propulsion stages and enhanced payload capacity. The newer rocket, standing 35 meters tall, is designed to carry around 2,300 kg into orbit and offers more versatility for a range of missions. It will also support ESA’s reusable Space Rider technology, capable of returning cargo or passengers to Earth.
Despite a setback in its second flight in December 2022, when a nozzle failure caused the mission to be aborted, the Vega-C is expected to return to service by the end of 2024 after undergoing design improvements. Alongside the Ariane 6 rocket, Vega-C will be a crucial component in ESA’s launcher family, ensuring Europe’s continued presence and independence in space exploration.