ESA title

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
Radar vision
Applications

Ride into orbit secured for Sentinel-1C

08/04/2022 30895 views 101 likes
Read
Launch of Vega VV20
Enabling & Support

ESA’s Vega rocket marks ten years with countdown to more po…

11/02/2022 3807 views 55 likes
Read
FLEX
Applications

Ride into space on Vega-C secured for FLEX and Altius

11/01/2022 4985 views 94 likes
Read
Artist's view of Vega-C
Enabling & Support

ESA contract to advance Vega-C competitiveness

16/12/2021 2869 views 51 likes
Read
Launch of Vega VV20
Enabling & Support

Latest Vega launch paves way for Vega-C

16/11/2021 9413 views 45 likes
Read
Vega liftoff on flight VV19
Enabling & Support

Vega launches Pléiades Neo and CubeSats

17/08/2021 24154 views 68 likes
Read
Vega-E
Enabling & Support

ESA advances Vega rocket evolution beyond 2025

21/07/2021 15817 views 65 likes
Read
Vega liftoff on flight VV18
Enabling & Support

Vega’s first launch this year

29/04/2021 5028 views 60 likes
Read
Outlook on future European space transportation
Enabling & Support

ESA defines elements of future European space transportatio…

11/03/2021 11917 views 133 likes
Read
Space Rider
Enabling & Support

ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden f…

09/12/2020 11247 views 94 likes
Read
Artist's view of Ariane 6 and Vega-C
Enabling & Support

ESA lays out roadmap to Vega-C and Ariane 6 flights

29/10/2020 9151 views 41 likes
Read
Artist's view of Vega-C
Enabling & Support

All solid motors for Vega-C complete qualification tests

23/10/2020 4562 views 51 likes
Read
Vega debuts rideshare launch service with 53 satellites.
Enabling & Support

Vega’s return to flight

04/09/2020 3408 views 33 likes
Read
Vega lifts off on its first rideshare launch dedicated to light satellites using its new Small Spacecraft Mission Service dispenser.
Enabling & Support

Vega return to flight proves new rideshare service

03/09/2020 9064 views 62 likes
Read
Artist's view of Vega flight VV16 with the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser
Enabling & Support

Watch Vega rideshare launch live

31/08/2020 39087 views 257 likes
Read
Artist's view of Vega flight VV16 with the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser and SAT-AIS.
Enabling & Support

Rideshare service for light satellites to launch on Vega

12/06/2020 12035 views 52 likes
Read
Hot firing of M10 thrust chamber for future Vega evolutions
Enabling & Support

3D-printed thrust chamber passes first tests for Vega evolu…

03/03/2020 8518 views 49 likes
Read
Artist's view of Ariane 6 and Vega-C
Enabling & Support

Signed protocols on exploitation of Ariane 6 and Vega-C

20/11/2019 3050 views 24 likes
Read
Enabling & Support

New rocket fairing design offers smoother quieter ride

22/10/2019 7050 views 48 likes
Read
Enabling & Support

All engines GO for Vega-C maiden flight

04/06/2019 6765 views 63 likes
Read
Austrian Research Promotion Agency signs joint statement
Enabling & Support

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency signs up to joint st…

30/01/2019 1443 views 21 likes
Read
Artist's view of Ariane 6 and Vega-C
Enabling & Support

European institutions sign Joint Statement on European Inst…

25/10/2018 2888 views 25 likes
Read
First hot firing of P120C motor for Vega-C and Ariane 6
Enabling & Support

Hot firing proves solid rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C

16/07/2018 8814 views 117 likes
Read
P120C full-scale model is set to horizontal
Enabling & Support

Second Ariane 6 and Vega-C solid rocket motor prepared for …

02/02/2018 4844 views 31 likes
Read
Inert propellant pours into P120C
Enabling & Support

Rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C is cast for testing

13/10/2017 6248 views 117 likes
Read
Protective fairing encases the payload
Enabling & Support

ESA and industry collaborate to improve rocket fairings

28/08/2017 10538 views 54 likes
Read
< 1 2