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: VV28, Vega-C with Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Kompsat-7 (Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-7), 1 December 14:21 local time (17:21 GMT, 18:21 CET). 

Next launch: VV29, Vega-C with European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Smile, postponed due to a technical issue.

Vega

Latest

Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

T-20 days: Smile to launch on 9 April

20/03/2026 2699 views 38 likes
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Smile arrives at Europe's Spaceport
Science & Exploration

Smile arrives at Europe’s Spaceport

09/03/2026 2589 views 28 likes
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Smile leaving Saint-Nazaire in France
Science & Exploration

Smile sets sail for Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

20/02/2026 2836 views 37 likes
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Kompsat-7 launched on Vega-C
Enabling & Support

Kompsat-7 launched on Vega-C

28/11/2025 1806 views 18 likes
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ESA Council at Delegate level meets in Bremen on the eve of CM25.
Enabling & Support

Ensuring autonomous access to space for Europe

27/11/2025 3034 views 13 likes
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More items

  • Enabling & Support

    Vega for ESA: the story

    03/09/2024 2415 views 19 likes
    Open item
  • Enabling & Support

    Vega-C inaugural launch campaign timelapse, VV21

    28/07/2022 1458 views 3 likes
    Open item
  • Enabling & Support

    Vega-C launch in slow motion

    22/07/2022 2909 views 18 likes
    Open item
  • Enabling & Support

    M10 engine test success marks key step toward Vega-E

    06/05/2022 4605 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