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: VV29, Vega-C with Smile mission – European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 May 2026 at 00:52 local time (04:52 BST, 05:52 CEST).

Next launch: September 2026, FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C on same Vega-C flight.

Vega

Latest

Video 00:04:00
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Science & Exploration

Smile launch highlights

19/05/2026 3590 views 94 likes
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Story
Wide view of Vega-C liftoff with Smile
Science & Exploration

Smile lifts off on quest to reveal Earth’s invisible shield…

19/05/2026 8920 views 53 likes
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Image
Science & Exploration

Vega-C shoots through the sky with a Smile

19/05/2026 484 views 12 likes
Vega-C shoots through the sky with a Smile
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Image
Science & Exploration

Vega-C for Smile revealed on the launch pad

19/05/2026 207 views 4 likes
Vega-C for Smile revealed on the launch pad
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Science & Exploration

Vega-C with Smile inside its mobile hangar on the launch pad

16/05/2026 363 views 4 likes
Vega-C with Smile inside its mobile hangar on the launch pad
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Video 00:04:42
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Science & Exploration

Preparing Smile for space

15/05/2026 1748 views 45 likes
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Story
Smile lifts off into space (artist impression)
Science & Exploration

How to follow the Smile launch live

12/05/2026 10791 views 63 likes
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Video 00:02:43
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Science & Exploration

Smile's journey from launch to orbit

12/05/2026 1481 views 30 likes
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Story
Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

Smile set to launch on 19 May

23/04/2026 6088 views 48 likes
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Video 00:01:33
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Science & Exploration

Smile: A global answer to a global mystery

02/04/2026 2006 views 32 likes
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Science & Exploration

Last glimpse of Smile

30/03/2026 1298 views 17 likes
Last glimpse of Smile
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Video 01:00:11
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Science & Exploration

Smile pre-launch media briefing

26/03/2026 1916 views 21 likes
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Story
Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

T-20 days: Smile to launch on 9 April

20/03/2026 3790 views 40 likes
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Enabling & Support

Vega-C launching Smile satellite (artist impression)

09/03/2026 250 views 1 likes
Vega-C launching Smile satellite (artist impression)
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Story
Smile arrives at Europe's Spaceport
Science & Exploration

Smile arrives at Europe’s Spaceport

09/03/2026 3255 views 30 likes
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More items
  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega for ESA: the story

    03/09/2024 2653 views 19 likes
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  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega-C inaugural launch campaign timelapse, VV21

    28/07/2022 1526 views 3 likes
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  • Video
    Enabling & Support

    Vega-C launch in slow motion

    22/07/2022 3003 views 18 likes
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  • Story
    Enabling & Support

    M10 engine test success marks key step toward Vega-E

    06/05/2022 4723 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

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Vega

Vega-C Vega launch site Vega-E Space Rider

Previous Vega rockets

Vega Vega launches from Europe's Spaceport Vega-C images Vega-C videos

Space transportation

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