Vega C

Vega C, or Vega Consolidation, is a European rocket designed to launch small satellites into space. Developed by Avio, it is an improved version of the original Vega rocket, offering better performance and flexibility. Vega C can carry heavier payloads and is used for scientific missions and Earth observation.

The European Space Agency approved Vega C in December 2014. It was initially operated by Arianespace but will soon be directly managed by Avio for commercial use. Vega C can place a 2,300-kilogram spacecraft into a 700-kilometre orbit, which is a big increase compared to the original Vega.

Vega C is named after Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra. It has three solid fuel stages and one liquid fuel stage, making it a single-body launcher without extra boosters. Companies from several countries, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine, helped build it.

The first launch of Vega C on 13 July 2022 was successful, but the second launch on 21 December 2022 failed due to a problem with the second stage. After this, the next launch was delayed until late 2024 to fix the issue.

Specifications

Building the Vega C rocket is a team effort from many European countries. Avio from Italy leads the project and builds some parts of the rocket. Europropulsion, a partnership between Avio and ArianeGroup, makes the first stage. Airbus Netherlands B.V. from the Netherlands builds the part that connects the first and second stages. The Italian Aerospace Research Centre makes the part between the second and third stages. Beyond Gravity from Switzerland builds the protective cover for the satellite and the onboard computer that guides the rocket. SABCA from Belgium builds the systems that control the rocket’s direction.

The Vega C can carry a heavy load into space. It can lift about 2,300 kilograms to a high orbit, much more than older versions. Because it carries more, the protective cover for the satellite had to be made bigger. The new cover is wider and taller than the old one, giving almost twice as much space inside.

Future

The Vega C+ is an upgrade to the Vega C rocket. It will use a bigger first stage called the P160C instead of the P120C. This change makes the rocket taller by 1 metre and adds more fuel, allowing it to carry a bit more weight into space. Other improvements include a better navigation system, a larger cover for the satellite, and easier production processes. The first Vega C+ flight is planned for 2028.

The Vega E, also called Vega Evolution, will build on the Vega C+. It will replace some parts with a new upper stage that uses liquid oxygen and liquid methane as fuel. This should let the rocket carry more weight and launch several satellites into different orbits in one flight. Tests for the new engine were successful in 2022, and the first Vega E flight is expected in 2027. A special launch site is being prepared for these flights.

After 2032, the Vega Next rocket is planned. It will use an even bigger engine called the M60, which could help make the first stage of the rocket reusable.

List of launches

See also: List of Vega launches

Launch history

Future launches

This section is transcluded from List of Vega launches.