Vega-C inaugural launch

Date: Wed, Jul 13, 2022 | 10:45 - 15:00 GMT | 12:45 - 17:00 CEST

Type: ESA TV Live

Format: 16:9

The European Space Agency’s new medium-lift Vega-C rocket is set for its inaugural launch on 13 July from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana.

Vega-C is a single body rocket about 35 m high with a mass at lift-off of 210 tonnes, able to place about 2200 kg in a reference 700 km polar orbit. Using a new range of payload carriers, Vega-C can accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes, ranging from multiple small satellites from one kilogram up to a single large payload. Ongoing developments will extend Vega-C capabilities to include in-orbit operations and return missions using ESA's Space Rider re-entry vehicle.

For VV21, Vega-C’s principal payload will be LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian space agency ASI. Six CubeSats built by European universities and research establishments will be orbited as secondary payloads.

Lift-off is planned for 13 July at 13:13 CEST (08:13 French Guiana). Note that there is a 2-hour launch window.

A live transmission will cover operations from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Four audio channels will be available: English commentary, Italian commentary, French translation and operational audio.

L-30: Live coverage begins with shots of launch pad, Jupiter control centre and videos on the rocket development
L-0: Lift-off
L+84: Lares-2 separation
L+130: Cubesat separation
A post-launch press briefing will be broadcast from 16:00 CEST.

Webstream:

The programme can be followed on ESA Web TV channels 1 (English) and 2 (Italian).

Also on YouTube in
English
Italian
French
Operational (no commentary)

Replays and additional footage

Launch highlights will be posted on the ESATV ftp server:
Server: tvdownload.esa.int
Login: ftp4esa

Replays of liftoff will be broadcast following the end of live commentary at 12:43 CEST

Additional footage of launch campaign, including interviews: https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2021/12/Vega-C_B-Rolls

Satellite Parameters:

Eutelsat 7B @ 7degE
Transponder B2 Channel G6 (6 MHz)
D/link freq: 10.994.5 MHz Polarisation Y/vertical
Signal: MPEG4/H264, 4:2:0, SR: 4937 Ms/s FEC: 3/4 DR: 10.7514 Mbps
Modulation: DVBS2/8PSK, Pilot: On, Roll off: 0.2 Clear
Audio 1: Eng mono
Audio 2: Fr mono
Audio 3: It mono
Audio 4: Intl sound

For any inquiries regarding transmission rights, satellite or FTP reception please contact the ESA TV producers: Kelsea Brennan-Wessels at kelsea.brennan-wessels@esa.int / tel + 39 340 366 7254 or Chris Courtenay Taylor at chrisct@worldwidegroup.global / tel +44 7774 275 951