June 7, 2022. PARIS
Media representatives are invited to witness the inaugural launch of Vega-C, either from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana or from ESA’s ESRIN facility in Frascati, Italy. The launch is currently planned for 7 July 2022 at 08:13 in French Guiana, 13:13 CEST in Italy.
A pre-launch online media briefing is planned for 30 June 2022.
At the Spaceport, journalists may view the launch from the media centre at the Jupiter control complex, where there will be interview opportunities with representatives of ESA, Avio, ASI, Arianespace and CNES. Spokespeople will be available at the ESRIN event.
Also at the Spaceport, journalists may have the opportunity to visit facilities related to Ariane 5 and Ariane 6.
Vega-C is a single body rocket about 35 m high with a mass at liftoff of 210 tonnes. It is able to place about 2200 kg in a reference 700 km-polar orbit. Using a new range of payload carriers, Vega-C will be able to accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes ranging from multiple small satellites as small as one kilogram up to a single large payload. Ongoing developments will extend Vega-C capabilities to include in-orbit operations, and return missions using ESA's Space Rider reentry vehicle.
For VV21, Vega-C’s principal payload will be LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Six CubeSats built by European universities and research establishments will be orbited as secondary payloads.
Spaceport draft programme
Tuesday 5 July – Friday 8 July 2022
Visit of facilities: Spaceport, Ariane 5, Ariane 6; details to be confirmed
Vega-C VV21 Launch (7 July 2022)
ESRIN draft programme
Vega-C VV21 Launch (7 July 2022)
Online pre-launch press briefing
Thursday 30 June 2022
A detailed programme will be available closer to the date. A variety of high-level experts and spokespersons are available for interviews. A detailed programme will be available closer to the date.
ESA Web TV
The launch will also be transmitted via https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/ESA_Web_TV
Media registration
Please express interest by FRIDAY 10 JUNE via https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form
Please note:
all costs and expenses for this launch media trip will have to be borne by the participating media;
because the number of places is limited, ESA cannot guarantee all interested media will be able to join this press programme;
accreditation formalities to access either Europe’s Spaceport or ESRIN will have to be completed after confirmation of participation.
Further information
ESA Space Transportation: https://www.esa.int/sts
Vega Launch System: https://www.esa.int/vega
Further information
ESA Space Transportation: https://www.esa.int/sts
Vega Launch System: https://www.esa.int/vega
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The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Slovenia, Latvia and Lithuania are Associate Members.
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Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int
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