Launch of Europe's Vega C rocket
Watch today's launch of Europe's Vega C rocket for the first time.
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You can watch the launch of a new European rocket today (July 13).
French-operated Arianespace is scheduled to launch its Vega C medium-lift rocket today at 8:13am EDT from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (1213 GMT, 9:13 local time in Kourou). Here at Space.com, thanks to Arianespace, you can watch it live or directly from the company (opens in new tab).
To put it another way: This will be the first time the four-stage Vega C has been used in a mission. European Space Agency (ESA) officials said in a statement that the new variant can haul 2.3 tonnes of payload to a polar orbit about 435 miles (700 kilometres) above Earth, compared to 1.5 tonnes for Vega (opens in new tab).
A primary payload for Vega-first C's mission to Earth orbit will be the Italian Space Agency's LARES-2 satellite. Using this satellite, researchers will be able to study the phenomenon known as frame dragging, which occurs when the rotation of a large object affects the motion of objects around it. Cubesats will also be on board the rocket to test methods of detecting biological molecules in space; grow plants in microgravity; and study the Earth's magnetosphere, among other things. Using the third and fourth cubesats for radiation effects research on electronic systems will be conducted.
As the name implies, there is no booster on the Vega-C launcher. As an alternative, it utilises a liquid upper module and three solid stages of propulsion. The small Vega launcher, which has been in operation for ten years, will be replaced by this new launcher. For the first time, the European Space Agency was able to put small and medium-sized payloads into orbit when it launched Vega in February 2012. A more powerful first and second stage, as well as a better re-ignitable upper stage, were added to the Vega-C, its successor. To get to low Earth orbit (LEO), the rocket can carry 3.3 tonnes of payload and to the poles it can carry 2.2 tonnes.
A statement from Vega programmes manager Renato Lafranconi stated that the new Vega-C features "major enhancements," both in the rocket and its ground infrastructure. Our goal is to deliver significant improvements in performance and competitiveness, so we've developed a new configuration that makes significant changes to many features of a proven concept.
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Finally, Vega-C has the ability to deliver payloads to multiple orbits and remain in space for longer periods of time because it has a larger capacity for liquid propellants. Also, the rocket is capable of delivering larger satellites or delivering two main payloads at one time. Additionally, it can perform rideshare missions, in which a large number of small satellites are sent into space at a low cost.
And, hopefully, things will get started on Wednesday. Wishing ESA the best of luck as it looks to expand its launch capabilities.
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