Kourou - Saba:
The European "Vega C" rocket successfully on Friday launched from French Guiana on December 6, 2024, placing the "Sentinel-1 C" satellite into orbit as part of the European Union’s "Copernicus" Earth observation program.
This marks a significant achievement two years after the rocket’s first commercial launch failed in December 2022.
The Sentinel-1 C satellite, designed to monitor climate change and provide continuous planetary data, was launched without incident. The mission, which had been delayed twice due to technical issues, successfully lifted off after completing additional checks on electrical connections and resolving a mechanical problem with the launch pad's mobile door.
The successful mission is seen as a major milestone for the Italian-built "Vega C" rocket, developed by the company "Avio," following a challenging period after its previous failure.
The loss of two satellites in 2022 led to a temporary suspension of the "Vega C" program, making this successful launch an important recovery for the European Space Agency and the European space industry.
| more of (International) |