Vega Rocket Set to Launch 12 Satellites on First Mission of the Year
October 7, 2023
Arianespace, a France-based company, is preparing for the launch of its Vega rocket tonight, October 7, on its first mission of the year. The rocket is scheduled to lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 9:36 pm EDT (0136 GMT on October 8).
The previous launch attempt, which was supposed to take place on October 6, was scrubbed in the final minute of the countdown due to a measurement error on the Vega rocket. Arianespace officials called off the launch when the measurement was found to be slightly above its maximum threshold.
The company is currently conducting checks to determine if it will go ahead with the launch tonight. If successful, the Vega rocket will carry 12 satellites to orbit, including two main payloads – THEOS-2 and FormoSat-7R/Triton.
THEOS-2, which weighs 919 pounds (417 kg), is an Earth-imaging satellite developed for the government of Thailand. It will contribute to Thailand’s Earth observation system and provide valuable data for various applications.
FormoSat-7R/Triton, weighing 531 pounds (241 kg), was developed by Taiwan’s space agency. This satellite is equipped with the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R), which collects signals bouncing off the sea surface. It plays a crucial role in calculating wind fields over the oceans and contributes to the global meteorology community’s typhoon intensity and trajectory forecasts.
In addition to these two main payloads, VV23 will also carry 10 other satellites for six different customers. The combined weight of all the satellites is 2,738 pounds (1,242 kg).
The Vega rocket, which stands at 100 feet tall (30 meters), is specifically designed to carry relatively small payloads. It has a payload capacity of up to 3,300 pounds (1,500 kilograms) to a circular orbit 435 miles (700 kilometers) above Earth.
The Vega rocket made its debut in February 2012 and has since completed 22 missions. Tonight’s launch, known as VV23, will mark the first flight for the standard Vega variant since November 2021.
For space enthusiasts interested in watching the launch live, Arianespace is providing live coverage on Space.com and through its own channels if the launch goes ahead. A successful launch tonight will not only mark an important milestone for Arianespace but also contribute to further advancements in Earth observation and meteorological forecasting.