The medium-lift vehicle was sent from French Guiana to deliver seven satellites into orbit, the largest of which would test Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Vega-C is of utmost importance to Europe’s continued access to space.
A critical gap in capability now needs to be filled that Russian rockets are no longer available due to the war in Ukraine. Moscow’s withdrawal from the Soyuz launcher market earlier this year saw European institutional and commercial satellites scrambling for an alternative ride.
Vega-C will be the obvious choice for many, although even before Wednesday’s successful maiden flight, the new Italian-led rocket system was fully booked through 2023, 2024 and 2025.
And there’s another reason why Vega-C’s foray into the launcher business is significant. Its first stage, the vehicle section that lifts it off the ground, will also be used on Europe’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, the Ariane-6.
The sharing of stage technology across both launcher systems is expected to result in significant cost savings.
“The launch demand in Europe in the next couple of years and beyond is going to be high, and Vega-C and Ariane-6 are going to be our workhorses,” said Josef Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency.
“You should see this maiden flight as the first launch of a new generation of European rockets, the start of a strengthening of the role of Europe in space transportation,” Giorgio Saccoccia, the president of the Italian Space Agency, told.