ESA title
Enabling & Support

Vega

Versatile, efficient, precise — the Vega launch system is Europe’s way of launching light satellites to multiple orbits in a single launch

Vega

Vega first launched in 2012 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to complement Europe’s heavy-lift Ariane rockets. Vega-C, a more powerful variant with greater payload volume and improved competitiveness, took over this role with its inaugural flight on 13 June 2022. Vega-E is now in development to further increase performance while reducing launch service costs.

Last launch: 14 September 2026 at 22:21 local time from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (15 September 02:21 BST/03:21 CEST), FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C on same Vega-C flight VV30.

Vega

Latest

Video 00:03:22
Play
Applications

FLEX and Sentinel-3C launch highlights

15/09/2026 1195 views 24 likes
Play
Video 03:37:00
Play
Applications

Relive the launch of FLEX and Sentinel-3C

15/09/2026 158 views 5 likes
Play
Story
Vega-C takes FLEX and Sentinel-3C into orbit
Applications

FLEX and Sentinel-3C launched

15/09/2026 4365 views 32 likes
Read
Image
Enabling & Support

Vega-C VV30

15/09/2026 9 views 0 likes
Vega-C VV30
View
Story
FLEX and Sentinel-3C ready for launch
Applications

FLEX and Sentinel-3C ready for liftoff on Vega-C

14/09/2026 1715 views 20 likes
Read
Story
Teams at ESOC during ESA’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C launch and early orbit (LEOP) simulations
Enabling & Support

A team of teams like never before: rehearsing a unique laun…

11/09/2026 1470 views 36 likes
Read
Image
Enabling & Support

Vega-C flight VV30 with FLEX and Sentinel-3C

09/09/2026 737 views 8 likes
Vega-C flight VV30 with FLEX and Sentinel-3C
View
Story
Vega-C fairing opens to reveal Sentinel-3C and FLEX
Applications

Watch: FLEX and Sentinel-3C launch on Vega-C

09/09/2026 6829 views 49 likes
Read
Image
Applications

FLEX and Sentinel-3C head for launch pad

07/09/2026 65 views 0 likes
FLEX and Sentinel-3C head for launch pad
View
Video 00:47:00
Play
Applications

Media briefing ahead of FLEX and Sentinel-3C launch

04/09/2026 771 views 9 likes
Play
Story
FLEX and Sentinel-3C being sealed from view
Applications

FLEX and Sentinel-3C sealed within Vega-C fairing

02/09/2026 2425 views 50 likes
Read
Image
Applications

Sentinel-3C positioned on the top of the Vespa adapter

02/09/2026 152 views 0 likes
Sentinel-3C positioned on the top of the Vespa adapter
View
Image
Enabling & Support

Vega-C colouring page

01/09/2026 63 views 0 likes
Vega-C colouring page
View
Press Release N° 35–2026
Applications

Call for interest: media programme for FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C launch at Europe’s Spaceport

Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending the media programme at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for the launch of the FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites on a Vega-C rocket (flight VV30). Liftoff is expected to take place on 14 September 2026 (22:21 local time, 03.21 CEST on 15 September).
20/07/2026 1477 views
Open
Video 00:03:24
Play
Science & Exploration

Smile: cleanroom to space

01/06/2026 1428 views 31 likes
Play

More items
  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega for ESA: the story

    03/09/2024 3008 views 20 likes
    Open item
  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega-C inaugural launch campaign timelapse, VV21

    28/07/2022 1650 views 3 likes
    Open item
  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega-C launch in slow motion

    22/07/2022 3194 views 18 likes
    Open item
  • Story
    Enabling & Support

    M10 engine test success marks key step toward Vega-E

    06/05/2022 4925 views 16 likes
    Open item
    Vega-E is being targeted to fly from 2026 as the next evolution of the Vega launch system.
  • Agency

    Link to Vega launch gallery

    Open item
    Launch of Vega VV20

More

Vega

Vega-C Vega launch site Vega-E Space Rider Vega-C images Vega-C videos

Previous Vega rockets

Vega Vega launches from Europe's Spaceport

Space transportation

Space Transportation Ariane Space Rider Future space transportation Boost! Europe's Spaceport Launches from Europe's Spaceport from 2012