ESA's Vega-C Rocket Set to Return to Flight After Two-Year Hiatus

The mission will launch the Sentinel-1C Earth observation satellite, marking a critical step for Europe's independent space access.

Vega-C's return to flight comes after a December 2022 failure caused by a faulty second-stage nozzle, which has since been redesigned and tested.
The rocket will carry the Sentinel-1C satellite, part of the Copernicus program, to replace the decommissioned Sentinel-1B and support Earth radar mapping.
This launch is vital for Europe’s autonomous space capabilities, as ESA has relied on SpaceX for launches due to delays with the Ariane 6 and the unavailability of Russian Soyuz rockets.
Sentinel-1C's data will aid environmental management, disaster response, and climate change research, complementing the operational Sentinel-1A satellite.
The Vega-C launch, scheduled for 2120 UTC on December 4, will be livestreamed on ESA Web TV, showcasing Europe's efforts to reestablish independent space access.