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N° 27–2022: Invitation to media: Inaugural launch of Vega-C, flight VV21

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


Social media

Follow ESA on

Hashtags: #VegaC #VV21


Images

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:

Terms and conditions for using ESA images:

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly


Videos


About the European Space Agency

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.


ESA has established formal cooperation with five Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.


By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.


Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int


For further information:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office – Ninja Menning

Tel: +31 71 5656409



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