Arianespace's Final Vega Rocket Launches Sentinel-2C for EU's Copernicus Programme

Arianespace has launched the final Vega rocket, placing the Sentinel-2C satellite in orbit to monitor Earth's environment for the EU's Copernicus programme. The launch marks the end of a 12-year run for Vega, designed by Avio, as it will be replaced by Vega C. Sentinel-2C will aid in observing deforestation, urban development, and emergencies like forest fires and floods.

In a significant milestone, Arianespace has launched the final Vega rocket, placing the Sentinel-2C satellite into Earth's orbit as part of the European Union's Copernicus programme, dedicated to environmental monitoring.

The slender, single-body rocket, devoid of side boosters unlike larger vehicles, ascended into the night sky from the launch base in French Guiana at 10:50 p.m. local time on September 4 (0150 GMT on September 5), as streaming images revealed.

Marking the conclusion of its 12-year operational career, the Vega rocket, engineered by Italy's Avio, will be succeeded by the updated model, Vega C. This new rocket is expected to return to service later this year after setbacks from a launch failure in December 2022 that resulted in the loss of two powerful imaging satellites.

Built by Airbus Defence & Space, Sentinel-2C will replace Sentinel-2A, which operates within the EU's Copernicus programme. This satellite will be instrumental in studying deforestation, urban development, and emergencies such as forest fires, floods, or volcanic eruptions, according to Mauro Facchini, head of the Copernicus unit at the European Commission.

The European Space Agency, collaborating with the EU on the project, describes Copernicus as the world's largest environmental monitoring endeavor. The programme's Sentinel satellite families collectively aim to monitor various aspects of the Earth's 'vital signs,' from carbon dioxide levels to wave heights and land and ocean temperatures. Notably, in 2022, Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite images brought attention to severe drought damage in Italy's Po Valley.

(With inputs from agencies.)