OptSat 3000 & VENµS (VENUS)
Vega
Arianespace
Rocket Launch Videos
Mission
OptSat 3000 & VENµS (VENUS)
- Type: Earth Science
- Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
- Launch Cost: $37,000,000
OptSat 3000 is an Earth imaging satellite built by Israel Aerospace Industries for the Italian military. It will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 600km. It will have a mission life of more than six years. Launched along with it is VENµS, Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a New Micro-Satellite. This is a near polar sun-synchronous orbit microsatellite jointly built by the Israeli Space Agency and CNES. Besides the scientific mission of terrestrial environment monitoring, the satellite is also tasked with verification and validation of the Hall Effect thruster in space.
Location
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) has witnessed the launch of 54 rockets, including 54 orbital launch attempts. While Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, has been the site for 331 rocket launches.
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
Avio S.p.A Vega
Vega is the smallest lifter in the current Arianespace family.
Agency
Arianespace
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Vega launch scheduled?
The Arianespace Vega launch carrying the OptSat 3000 & VENµS (VENUS) mission was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the Vega launch video?
You can watch the Arianespace Vega 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 Vega launch from?
The Arianespace Vega 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 OptSat 3000 & VENµS (VENUS) mission?
The OptSat 3000 & VENµS (VENUS) mission launched aboard a Arianespace Vega rocket. Vega is the smallest lifter in the current Arianespace family. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed this launch?
The Vega 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 launch is delayed?
This page is updated in real-time with the latest launch status, including any delays or scrubs. You can also check our space launch schedule for the most current information. Enable push notifications through our mobile app to receive instant alerts about launch status changes, weather holds, or new launch times. We recommend following official live streams for the most immediate range updates.
