Avio S.p.A Sentinel-3C & FLEX Vega-C
Rocket Launch Video Streams
Weather Forecast During Launch
The forecast calls for a temperature of 78°F, scattered clouds, 27% cloud cover and a wind speed of 4mph.
About the Sentinel-3C & FLEX Mission
| Type | Earth Science |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Sun-Synchronous Orbit |
| Launch Cost | $48,000,000 |
Sentinel-3C is the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 constellation, which provides high-accuracy optical, radar and altimetry data for marine and land services.
The Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) satellite is a part of ESA's Earth Explorer program. The satellite will map vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity.
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.
Rocket Launch Timeline
Track every phase of the rocket launch with our detailed mission timeline. From T-minus countdown events and pre-launch preparations through liftoff, stage separation, and orbital insertion, follow each critical milestone in real-time. Our comprehensive launch sequence timeline includes payload integration, propellant loading, engine ignition, and post-launch telemetry tracking.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 27 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 28 | SES Start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 32 | Stage 3 Separation Separation of the third stage from the second |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 39 | Stage 3 Ignition Third stage engine ignites. |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 44 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 07 : 11 | Kick Stage Separation Separation of the kick stage from the previous stage |
| T+ 00 : 08 : 23 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 00 : 17 : 06 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 00 : 55 : 29 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 00 : 58 : 30 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 01 : 00 : 50 | Payload Separation Final deployment of the payload from the rocket |
| T+ 01 : 46 : 19 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 01 : 46 : 49 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 01 : 54 : 32 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 01 : 54 : 58 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 01 : 56 : 03 | Payload Separation Final deployment of the payload from the rocket |
| T+ 02 : 23 : 32 | Kick Stage Ignition Start of the kick stage engine |
| T+ 02 : 24 : 58 | Kick Stage Cut-off Cut-off of the kick stage engine |
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 Avio S.p.A
Avio S.p.A. is an Italian company operating in the aerospace sector with its head office in Colleferro near Rome, Italy. Founded in 1908, it is present in Italy and abroad with different commercial offices and 10 production sites.
| Total Launches | 2 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 2 |
| Pending | 23 |
| Consecutive Success | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch scheduled?
The Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch video?
You can watch the Avio S.p.A 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 Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX mission launch from?
The Avio S.p.A 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 Sentinel-3C & FLEX mission?
The Sentinel-3C & FLEX mission launched aboard a 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. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch?
The Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX 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 Avio S.p.A Vega-C Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Avio S.p.A Vega-C launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Sentinel-3C & FLEX 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 Avio S.p.A live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Both satellites successfully deployed and signals acquired from both.
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Liftoff.
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Official Webcast by Avio SpA has started
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GO for launch on September 15 UTC.
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NET September 11
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NET September 9.
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NET September 1st, together with FLEX.
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NET October 2026
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NET September 2026. (see 02:17:55 mark)
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NET June 2026
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NET 2026
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NET Q1 2025.
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Adding launch NET October 2024