Vega launch vehicle - RussianSpaceWeb.com
History of the Vega launcher by Anatoly Zak
www.russianspaceweb.comI don’t have live tool access right now to pull the very latest updates, but I can share what’s widely known about Vega missiles and recent developments up to my last update.
Brief answer
- As of late 2024, Europe’s Vega family is transitioning from the original Vega launcher to the Vega-C, with the final mission of Vega (VV, the original generation) having occurred in September 2024 using the Sentinel-2C Copernicus mission. The Vega-C program was positioned to take over continued missions.[3][4]
Context and key points
- Vega is Europe’s small-lift launch system developed by Avio for Arianespace, used for lightweight payloads. Its exhibitions include multiple generations, with Vega-C designed to increase payload capacity and reliability. The final flight of the original Vega occurred in 2024, marking the end of that generation’s operational period.[4][3]
- After Vega’s retirement from its original family, the trajectory has been to continue with Vega-C launches, including Copernicus Sentinel missions, and to support ongoing European space programs. Industry coverage notes this transition and the upcoming use of Vega-C for future payloads.[3][4]
What this means for “latest news”
- Expect coverage focusing on Vega’s retirement, the transition to Vega-C, and the ongoing Copernicus program launches (Sentinel-1C, Sentinel-2C successors) as Vega-C ramps up. News outlets around September 2024 highlighted Vega’s final mission and the shift to Vega-C for future European launches.[4][3]
Illustration
- A simple timeline: original Vega missions (2012–2024) → final Vega flight in 2024 (Sentinel-2C) → Vega-C launches anticipated for 2025 onward, with Sentinel-1C as a notable successor.[3][4]
Would you like me to search for the very latest press releases or ESA/Arianespace updates on Vega-C status and any recent mission schedules? I can pull current sources and summarize them with citations.