Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » Vega C’s comeback: Europe reclaims space ambitions
    ariane-6-rocket-7-10
    ariane-6-rocket-7-10
    IT Infrastructure

    Vega C’s comeback: Europe reclaims space ambitions

    By Nikita JiangDecember 5, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • Arianespace’s Vega C is set to make a return to flight, almost two years to the day after a second-stage failure doomed its previous launch
    • The rocket will carry vital payloads for Italy’s Space Agency and EU’s Earth Observation program

    What happened: Europe’s Vega C rocket set for crucial relaunch

    ESA’s Vega-C rocket is complete on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport and ready for liftoff. The final element of the rocket, which includes the Sentinel-1C satellite that will be launched into space, was installed on top of the 35-m launcher on 29 November – like the cherry on a cake.

    The Vega C is an expendable, small-lift vehicle operated by Arianespace. It managed only one successful launch, in July 2022, before the failure in December last year and a stand-down while engineers resolved the problems that led to the loss. A nozzle failure in 2023 caused the rocket’s reflight to be delayed until 2024.

    “It is an important launch,” said Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, during a prelaunch media briefing, “very important because we will lift a flagship European satellite of the Copernicus constellation with a flagship European launcher.” Avio is contracted by ESA as Vega-C’s primary designer. Vega-C’s return to flight follows the premiere launch of ESA’s larger Ariane 6 rocket over the summer, ultimately filling the gap in launch vehicle needs for smaller payloads and lessening Europe’s reliance on other launch providers.

    Also read: Explosion shatters Japan’s rocket test, halting ambitious plans
    Also read: BAE Systems, Rocket Lab receive $60M US semiconductor boost

    What it’s important

    The Vega C launch is a pivotal moment for Europe’s independent access to space, especially as geopolitical tensions reshape global launch services. After Russia’s exclusion from the Western market, reliance on SpaceX has grown, raising concerns about over-dependence on a single provider. A successful Vega C relaunch strengthens Europe’s ability to serve its own satellite needs and international clients.

    Small space companies also stand to benefit. For instance, startups like GomSpace and NanoAvionics rely on cost-effective rockets to deploy their CubeSats, critical for advancing services like remote sensing and IoT networks. A revived Vega C bolsters these ventures by offering competitive pricing and diverse launch options.

    Taking a positive stance, this development highlights Europe’s resilience. By addressing past failures, Arianespace showcases its commitment to innovation and reliability, reassuring customers and reinforcing its global competitiveness. This benefits not only governments but also the emerging private space sector.

    Arianespace Avio Europe’s Spaceport Giulio Ranzo GomSpace NanoAvionics Sentinel-1C Vega-C
    Nikita Jiang

    Nikita Jiang is a dedicated journalist at Blue Tech Wave specializing in culture and technology. She holds a Bachelor's degree from King's College London and a Master's from the University of Manchester. Connect with her at n.jiang@btw.media.

    Related Posts

    Optus partners with Nokia to deploy cloud-native 5G voice services

    August 1, 2025

    Bell and Cohere launch Canadian AI services

    August 1, 2025

    Phoenix Tower boosts French towers with 5G sites deal

    August 1, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.