After the failed first commercial launch of the new European launch vehicle Vega C into space, a commission of experts is to investigate the reasons. “It will be tasked with proving the cause of the failure and proposing robust and long-lasting corrective actions that will guarantee a safe and reliable return to flight for the Vega C,” said Stéphane Israël, chief of rocket operator Arianespace, on Wednesday afternoon. For Europe’s space flight, the problem with the newly introduced rocket is a severe blow.
Just a few minutes after launching from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, the rocket went off course late Tuesday evening (local time). Arianespace classified the mission as a failure. According to the company, there was a problem with the Zefiro 40 engine. After a pressure drop, the responsible flight safety officer gave the order to destroy the flying object. The missile was said to have fallen safely into international waters. The problem only seems to affect the engine.
Face failure
As early as Thursday, the independent commission of experts is to take a close look at the failed start. In addition to Arianespace, the European space agency Esa will also chair the panel. “We will do whatever it takes to fly safely again,” said Stefano Bianchi of ESA’s Space Transport Directorate.
“Five months ago we had a flawless flight and now we have to face a failure that hits us hard,” Bianchi assessed the situation. “Europe needs Vega and it needs a launcher that works every time.”
The Vega C had only completed its maiden flight in July. It is a further development of the Vega rocket, which has been launching light satellites into space since 2012. According to Esa, the new rocket can carry around 800 kilograms more load. It is also more flexible and cheaper. Esa boss Josef Aschbacher described the Vega C as “extremely important” for satellites up to around 2.4 tons on its first flight. The launch of the rocket, which can deliver payloads to orbits at different altitudes, ushered in a new era in this rocket category.
More competitive in space
A good dozen launches were actually planned for Vega-C rockets up to and including 2025. But when the Vega C can fly again was initially unclear. Neither Arianespace nor Esa commented on the planned launches. The Vega-C rocket program is in the hands of Esa. The main contractor is the Italian company Avio. Arianespace takes care of the commercial side of the launches.
Together with the larger Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which is scheduled to launch into space for the first time next year with a delay of around three years, the Vega C is intended to make European space travel more competitive. Ariane 6 was originally supposed to take off in 2020, but the launch was postponed several times, partly because of the corona pandemic. Arianespace boss Israël assured: “Neither Ariane 5 nor Ariane 6 are affected by what unfortunately happened tonight.”
The off-course rocket carried two Earth observation satellites. The Airbus Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 missiles were intended to complement a constellation of Earth observation satellites in space. Airbus Defense and Space initially did not comment on the failed launch of the rocket when asked.
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