Commercial agreement

Skybox Imaging becomes the first U.S. customer for Vega, signing to launch a block of high-resolution imaging satellites from the Spaceport in 2016.

Commercial agreement

The order for Arianespace’s acquisition of 10 Vega launchers is signed with Italy’s ELV. These vehicles will enter service at the end of 2015 and represent three years of operations. The production contract confirms the long-term viability of Vega, now established as the best launch vehicle in the light-lift class.

Arianespace announces a contract to launch two satellites into low Earth orbit with Vega on missions planned from French Guiana in 2017 and 2018.

Vega’s second flight campaign begins with the rollout of its first stage to the Spaceport’s SLV launch complex in French Guiana. This mission, scheduled for liftoff in April, will orbit the Proba-V and VNREDSat-1A satellites – which weigh 160 kg. and 120 kg., respectively. The flight is part of a five-mission European Space Agency program called VERTA (Vega Research and Technology Accompaniment), which aims to demonstrate the Vega launch system’s flexibility as well as its ability to carry multiple satellite passengers.

VNREDSat-1A will be launched on Vega’s no. 2 flight from French Guiana – scheduled for the second quarter of 2013 – based on an Arianespace launch contract signed with Astrium on behalf of the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. Built by Astrium, this 120-kg. Earth observation satellite is to be carried in the lower position on a Vespa multiple payload carrier structure.

Vega’s qualification flight – performed under responsibility of the European Space Agency – is a success, clearing the way for Arianespace to take charge of the lightweight launcher’s commercialization and operation.

Vega’s P80 first stage is rolled out to the Spaceport’s SLV launch pad – from where this vehicle’s qualification flight will be conducted in January 2012. The launch campaign startup for this mission marks the first time that flight preparations are underway in parallel for each member of Arianespace’s full launcher family operating from French Guiana: the lightweight Vega, medium Soyuz and heavy-lift Ariane 5.

The no. 1 Vega to be launched from the Spaceport departs Europe for its sea-going voyage to French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri roll-on/roll-off ship. After arriving at the Spaceport, this Vega will be prepared for a liftoff scheduled in January 2012 with a multi-spacecraft payload composed of the LARES satellite and nine small cubesats from European universities. This will serve as the vehicle’s qualification flight, opening a series of missions to demonstrate the launch system’s flexibility.

The support services for Vega’s first launch campaign are defined in a contract signed by Arianespace and the European Space Agency. Testing will be conducted at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in preparation for Vega's first flight toward the end of 2010.