Just minutes after launch, Europe’s new Vega-C rocket goes off course. The mission is declared a failure, the reasons are still unclear. Is this a setback for Europe’s space travel?
Kourou – The first commercial launch of Europe’s new Vega C launch vehicle into space has gone awry. The rocket went off course a few minutes after its launch from the European spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana, as Stéphane Israël, head of the rocket operator Arianespace, said on Wednesday night. “Unfortunately, we can say that the mission is lost.” Arianespace classified the mission as a failure. It’s not the first problem we’ve encountered with a European launch vehicle.
Problems with an engine
According to the company, there was a problem with the Zefiro 40 engine about two and a half minutes after take-off. Data analyzes should now provide conclusions on the exact reasons for this. In the afternoon, Arianespace wants to provide information on the incident at a press conference.
The new Vega C only completed its maiden flight in July. It is a further development of the Vega rocket, which has been launching light satellites into space since 2012. According to the European Space Agency Esa, the new rocket is a lot better: it can carry around 800 kilograms more load, is more flexible and cheaper. Together with the larger Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which is due to be launched into space for the first time next year after a delay of around three years, the Vega C is intended to make European space travel more competitive. Ariane 6 was originally supposed to take off in 2020, but the launch was postponed several times, partly because of the corona pandemic.
A good dozen launches planned
If the launch that has now failed is due to a fundamental problem with the new rocket, it would be a major setback for Esa. Esa boss Josef Aschbacher described the Vega C as “extremely important” for satellites up to around 2.4 tons on its first flight. The launch of the rocket, which can deliver payloads to orbits at different altitudes, ushered in a new era in this rocket category. Esa initially did not respond to a request for the failed launch.
A good dozen launches are planned for Vega-C rockets up to and including 2025. The Vega-C rocket program is in the hands of Esa. The main contractor is the Italian company Avio. Arianespace takes care of the commercial side of the launches.
The off-course rocket carried two Earth observation satellites. The Airbus Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 missiles were intended to complement a constellation of Earth observation satellites in space. Airbus Defense and Space initially did not comment on the failed launch of the rocket when asked. dpa
#commercial #flight #VegaC #rocket #failed