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Vega Milestones
2019
March
March 21, 2019March 21, 2019
600 satellites launched
Vega’s first launch in 2019 – Flight VV14, carrying the PRISMA Earth observation spacecraft –
increases to 600 the total number of satellites orbited by Arianespace since beginning operations in 1979.
Arianespace performs its 50th mission for the European Space Agency, successfully launching the first-ever satellite designed to measure wind profiles on a global scale: Aeolus.
It is one of ESA’s Earth Explorer missions, which address key scientific challenges identified by the science community and demonstrate breakthrough technology in observing techniques.
Multiple small satellites are secured for the lightweight Vega launcher’s Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) Proof of Concept flight (POC flight).
Joining the customers are Innovative Space Logistics B.V. (the launch services subsidiary of Innovative Solutions In Space) with a QuadPack deployer for multiple CubeSats; SITAEL, to launch the first small satellite for delivery of STRIVING commercial space access services; and D-Orbit, for its ION CubeSat Carrier – a free-flying CubeSat deployer and technology demonstrator.
Vega’s perfect launch record continues with its dual-passenger flight that orbited observation satellites for the Italian Ministry of Defence and Israel Space Agency –
marking 10 successes in as many tries since the light-lift vehicle started operation in 2012.
Arianespace announces the first launch contract signed for the upgraded Vega C, covering a mission to deploy Airbus’ new generation
of very-high-resolution optical Earth observation satellites from mid-2020.
Continuing its uninterrupted track record of successful launches, Vega orbits five Earth observation satellites on its seventh mission:
four SkySats spacecraft for Terra Bella, a Google company; along with PerúSAT-1, within the scope of a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the Peruvian space agency CONIDA.
Skybox Imaging becomes the first U.S. customer for Vega, signing to launch a block of high-resolution imaging satellites from the Spaceport in 2016.
February
February 11, 2015February 11, 2015
Launch success
Vega deploys the European Space Agency’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) on a suborbital mission to validate reentry technologies.
This is the fourth flight of the lightweight launcher, continuing its successful operation from French Guiana.
The order for Arianespace’s acquisition of 10 Vega launchers is signed with Italy’s ELV.
These vehicles will enter service at the end of 2015 and represent three years of operations. The production contract confirms the long-term viability of Vega, now established as the best launch vehicle in the light-lift class.
Arianespace orders 10 Vega launchers from Italian manufacturer ELV for missions beginning at the end of 2015,
and covering more than three years of operations. They follow the initial original Vega launcher used for the qualification flight in February 2012, and the five Vegas already ordered in 2010 within the scope of the VERTA contract.
Vega’s second flight campaign begins with the rollout of its first stage to the Spaceport’s SLV launch complex in French Guiana. This mission, scheduled for liftoff in April,
will orbit the Proba-V and VNREDSat-1A satellites – which weigh 160 kg. and 120 kg., respectively. The flight is part of a five-mission European Space Agency program called VERTA (Vega Research and Technology Accompaniment), which aims to demonstrate the Vega launch system’s flexibility as well as its ability to carry multiple satellite passengers.
Vega’s second flight from French Guiana orbits a trio of satellites – Proba-V, VNREDSat-1 and ESTCube-1 –
on a mission that also marks start of operations under Arianespace responsibility for this light-lift launcher.
VNREDSat-1A will be launched on Vega’s no. 2 flight from French Guiana – scheduled for the second quarter of 2013 – based on an Arianespace launch contract signed with Astrium
on behalf of the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. Built by Astrium, this 120-kg. Earth observation satellite is to be carried in the lower position on a Vespa multiple payload carrier structure.
A Vega launch contract is signed by Arianespace with Astrium for the DZZ-HR high-resolution observation satellite, which will be operated by Kazakhstan.
Scheduled for orbiting in the second quarter of 2014, the DZZ-HR agreement marks Arianespace’s third contract for Vega, and the first to serve an end-customer outside of Europe.
Vega’s qualification flight – performed under responsibility of the European Space Agency – is a success, clearing the way for Arianespace
to take charge of the lightweight launcher’s commercialization and operation.
The first commercial contract signing for Vega is announced by Arianespace, involving two satellites in the Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 families dedicated to Europe's GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) program.
The launches with these payloads are scheduled for 2014-2016 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
Vega’s P80 first stage is rolled out to the Spaceport’s SLV launch pad – from where this vehicle’s qualification flight will be conducted in January 2012.
The launch campaign startup for this mission marks the first time that flight preparations are underway in parallel for each member of Arianespace’s full launcher family operating from French Guiana: the lightweight Vega, medium Soyuz and heavy-lift Ariane 5.
Arianespace’s launcher family is a reality as operational versions of the Ariane 5, Vega and Soyuz are present for the first time in French Guiana,
positioned for upcoming missions. A heavy-lift Ariane 5 for the VA205 mission with Europe’s third Automated Transfer Vehicle arrives from Europe aboard the MN Colibri sea-going ship, along with the no. 1 Vega for this lightweight launcher’s VV01 qualification flight in January 2012. They join a Soyuz that is being prepared for Arianespace’s second launch of the medium-lift vehicle from the Spaceport, which is scheduled for December 16, 2011.
The no. 1 Vega to be launched from the Spaceport departs Europe for its sea-going voyage to French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri roll-on/roll-off ship.
After arriving at the Spaceport, this Vega will be prepared for a liftoff scheduled in January 2012 with a multi-spacecraft payload composed of the LARES satellite and nine small cubesats from European universities. This will serve as the vehicle’s qualification flight, opening a series of missions to demonstrate the launch system’s flexibility.
A full-scale Vega model is assembled on the Spaceport’s SLV launch pad as part of validations for the mechanical, electrical and fluid elements of this newest member in Arianespace’s launcher family.
The representative Vega was composed of inert first, second and third solid propellant stages, along with the AVUM bi-propellant liquid upper stage, the payload fairing with a satellite mockup and payload adapter.
The support services for Vega’s first launch campaign are defined in a contract signed by Arianespace and the European Space Agency.
Testing will be conducted at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in preparation for Vega's first flight toward the end of 2010.
A representative P80 first stage is moved to the Spaceport’s launch pad as the initial step for combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure.
This full-scale stage is complete with instrumentation, and has been filled with a simulated load of solid propellant.