Since its first launch in 2012 from French Guiana, Europe’s Vega rocket system has been instrumental in serving to put a number of satellites in low Earth orbit with solely a single launch.
What’s it?
The Vega-C rocket — a extra highly effective variant developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by the French firm Arianespace — took off its inaugural launch on July 13, 2022.
The Vega-C failed on its subsequent launch, in December 2022, and battled technical points on its method again to the pad. The rocket aced its third-ever flight in December 2024 and succeeded on its subsequent liftoff as nicely, in April of this 12 months.
The place is it?
The Vega-C rocket is on a launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre, northwest of Kourou in French Guiana.
Why is it wonderful?
The Vega-C is made of 4 levels, which assist the rocket overcome Earth’s gravity and get its payloads to house. The primary stage, or P120C, is the rocket’s primary booster. Fueled with stable propellant, it helps present the principle thrust to raise the rocket off the pad.
The Zefiro-40 second stage can also be solid-fueled and helps improve the rocket’s pace after the primary stage.
The Zefiro-9 is the Vega-C rocket’s third stage, and burns by round 10 tons of stable propellant, according to ESA. Vega-C’s fourth stage is called AVUM+.
The third stage highlighted on this photograph is being added for the upcoming Vega-C flight VV27, which plans to take a number of CO3D satellites into house. These satellites are half of a bigger satellite tv for pc making a 3D map of our planet from low Earth orbit.
Wish to be taught extra?
You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the European House Company’s many various research projects, together with satellites in space.