ESA LARES-2 (Maiden flight) Vega-C
Rocket Launch Video Streams
About the LARES-2 (Maiden flight) Mission
| Type | Earth Science |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Medium Earth Orbit |
| Launch Cost | $48,000,000 |
Maiden flight of the Vega-C launch vehicle, carrying the LARES-2 passive satellite. It is a 40 cm diameter sphere with laser mirrors to study the Earth gravitational field and relativistic effects. Also onboard are six European research cubesats.
Launch Pad & Location
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
| Launches | 56 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 56 |
| Total Launches | 336 |
The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
Avio S.p.A Vega-C Rocket
Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket.
| Length | 34.8 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 3.0 m |
| Stages | 4 |
| Launch Mass | 210.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 2,974.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 3,300 kg |
| SSO Capacity | 2,230 kg |
| Launch Cost | $48,000,000 |
| Maiden Flight | 7/13/2022 |
About ESA
The European Space Agency is an intergovernmental organisation of 22 member states. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Paris, France, ESA has a worldwide staff of about 2,000 employees.
ESA's space flight programme includes human spaceflight (mainly through participation in the International Space Station program); the launch and operation of unmanned exploration missions to other planets and the Moon; Earth observation, science and telecommunication; designing launch vehicles; and maintaining a major spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou, French Guiana.
| Total Launches | 7 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 6 |
| Failed | 1 |
| Pending | 1 |
| Consecutive Success | 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch scheduled?
The ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch video?
You can watch the ESA Vega-C launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) mission launch from?
The ESA Vega-C rocket launched from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. The Guiana Space Centre is a European spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, a region of France in South America. Kourou is located at a latitude of 5°. In operation since 1968, it is a suitable location for a spaceport because of its equatorial location and open sea to the east.
What rocket was used for the LARES-2 (Maiden flight) mission?
The LARES-2 (Maiden flight) mission launched aboard a ESA Vega-C rocket. Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch?
The ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the ESA Vega-C LARES-2 (Maiden flight) launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest ESA Vega-C launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the LARES-2 (Maiden flight) mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official ESA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Launch announced a success on the webcast
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Liftoff
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New T-0
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New T-0
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Setting GO and adjusting NET
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NET July 13, pending suitable conditions for launch
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Setting GO
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Targeting July 7 at 11:13 UTC
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NET July 7
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Targeting the first week of July
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NET July 2022
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NET May
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NET April 2022