Flight VV24 – Sentinel-2C | Arianespace

Описание: On Wednesday September 4th 2024, the last Vega launcher (VV24 mission) lifted-off from the Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, at 10:50 pm local time (September 5th, at 1:50 am UTC, 3:50 am CEST). Vega successfully placed its passenger, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite, into Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 775 km. Spacecraft separation occurred 57 minutes and 27 seconds after lift-off.

“By successfully delivering the Copernicus Sentinel-2C to orbit, the Vega launcher – the last of its generation - has once again showcased its unique versatility and performance, as it has done throughout its 12 years in operation. With Sentinel-2C, Arianespace will have launched five Sentinel satellites successfully for the Copernicus program, demonstrating more than ever, our commitment to use space for a better life on Earth and to deliver to Europe an autonomous access. We are now super excited to prepare with Avio and ESA the launch of Sentinel-1C with the return to flight of Vega C. I wish to thank our customers, the European Commission and ESA, for their unique trust. Congratulations to the Arianespace team and our partner teams for this perfectly executed European mission,” commented Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace.

“We are proud of the work done with this launcher by our team in support of the European Copernicus program”, said Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio. “This launch also represents an important milestone for Avio since it was Vega’s farewell flight. The launcher legacy will continue with its successor Vega C and in the future with Vega E. I want to thank all teams from Avio, ESA, ASI, CNES and Arianespace for their joint support since the beginning of the Vega program. The Vega launcher family represents today Europe’s capability to access space for light and medium payloads in Low Earth Orbit and will continue to be a strategic asset for private customers and institutions”.

After lift-off from Europe’s Spaceport, the Vega launcher was propelled by the first three stages for a little over six minutes. Then the AVUM 4th stage ignited twice before releasing Sentinel-2C in the target orbit marking the successful launch. A third AVUM ignition deorbited the AVUM stage on a safety reentry trajectory.

A few minutes after separation, ESA acquired signals from the satellite, marking the successful mission for our partners and customers.

ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, commented, “We are thrilled to celebrate the successful launch of Sentinel-2C by Arianespace, a new milestone in the well-established collaboration between ESA and the European Commission. This mission further confirms the role of Copernicus as a leading programme to contribute to climate change and environmental challenges worldwide, but also ensures the continuity of vital data to support agriculture, forestry, maritime monitoring, and for many other sectors. Together, we are solidifying Europe's commitment to a sustainable future, empowering decision-makers with the tools they need to protect our planet."

This launch is the 5th Sentinel satellite in the Copernicus program to be launched by Arianespace after 4 successful launches, including two on Vega: Sentinel-2A in 2015 (VV05) and Sentinel-2B in 2017 (VV09). The European Commission has awarded to Arianespace and to Vega C five other Copernicus satellites: Sentinel-1C, Sentinel-1D, Sentinel-3C, CO2M-A and CO2M-B.

[   • Flight VV24 – Sentinel-2C | Vega Launch I ...  ](   • Flight VV24 – Sentinel-2C | Vega Launch I ...  ) -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/spacemisioncontrol