PROBA

The second Vega flight is currently being prepared at Europe's Space port in French Guyane.

It will demonstrate the capacity of the new small class European Launcher to send several payloads on orbit.

In particular it will launch the PROBA Vegetation satellite. 

PROBA means Project for On-Board Autonomy, it is an ESA programme to develop small but clever satellites embarking innovative technologies. 

This story explains what is the PROBA family and looks back at the previous PROBA missions. It includes an interview with Franco Ongaro, ESA Director of Technical and Quality Management.