Monday Success Of Vega Completes Suite Of Capabilities

Monday morning saw the successful launch at 1000Z of the first Vega by the European Space Agency (ESA), putting two scientific satellites and seven picosatellites into orbit. Arianespace now claims the largest range of commercial launch services.

The new Vega launcher has been designed to launch payloads of up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb.) at an altitude of 700 km (435 miles). Europe now has a new vehicle to launch all its scientific and institutional missions. After the success of this maiden launch, Arianespace will be in charge of the commercialization and exploitation of Vega.

With Ariane 5, Soyuz, and now Vega, all of which are operated from the Guiana Space Center, Arianespace says it is the only launch service and solutions company that can place any payload into any orbit: telecommunications satellites, scientific or Earth observation satellites, constellations and missions to the International Space Station.

Following the successful Vega launch, Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace commented, "Bravo Europe! Congratulations to the European Space Agency, to the Italian Space Agency, to the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales and to all our industrials partners. This success comes after 9 years of cooperative development. Well done Europe!"

Even before this first launch Arianespace and ESA had signed the first commercial launch service and solutions contract, for the European Union launch of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 spacecraft on Vega.

FMI: www.arianespace.com