ESA has worked with industry for the first flight in 2022 of Europe’s Vega-C launch vehicle for more launches, with increased performance, reaching multiple orbits at a similar cost to Vega.

Vega-C is a single body rocket about 35 m high with a mass at liftoff of 210 tonnes. It is able to place about 2200 kg in a reference 700 km-polar orbit. This will meet the needs of European institutions and industry. Using a new range of payload carriers, Vega-C will be able to accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes ranging from multiple small satellites as small as 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 fully integrated Space Rider reentry vehicle.

In orbit, Altius will be operated from ESA’s European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Redu, Belgium.