Vega C consists of three solid stages and one hypergolic stage:

• Stage 1: P120C (side boosters)
• Stage 2: Zefiro 40
• Stage 3: Zefiro 9
• Stage 4: AVUM+

Livestreams

Stats

☑️ 2nd Vega C mission of 2026, 8th mission overall

☑️ 2nd Vega mission of 2026, 30th mission overall

Payload info

ESA page

NextSpaceflight page

Sentinel-3C

Sentinel-3C is an Earth observation satellite constellation developed by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus Programme.
Copernicus, formerly Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, is the European programme to establish a European capacity for Earth observation designed to provide European policymakers and public authorities with accurate and timely information to better manage the environment and to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change.

FLEX

European Space Agency (ESA)'s Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) will yield information about the health of the world’s plants. FLEX will carry a fluorescence imaging spectrometer called Floris to map vegetation fluorescence around the globe and quantify photosynthetic activity and plant stress. It will detect and measure the light emitted by plants as they convert sunlight and the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide into energy. While this photosynthetic activity is invisible to the naked eye, the instrument will observe the fluorescence of vegetation, yielding important information about plant health. The information gathered will be used to improve our understanding of how carbon moves between plants and the atmosphere and how photosynthesis affects the carbon and water cycles.

ESA webcast is live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmrgyh5s-is

FLEX go no-go poll is complete. They are go for launch.

Sentinel-3C and Vega systems are also currently go for launch.

LIftoff!

P120C burnout, stage separation, and Zefiro 40 ignition confirmed.

Zefiro burnout, stage separation, Zefiro 9 ignition, and fairing separation confirmed.

Zefiro 9 burnout stage separation confirmed.

AVUM+ startup confirmed.

AVUM+ boost 1 completed. Nominal parking orbit.

AVUM+ boost 2 ignition confirmed.

AVUM+ boost 2 shutdown confirmed. Nominal orbit.

Sentinel-3C separation confirmed. Nominal orbit.

AVUM+ boost 3 ignition confirmed.

AVUM+ boost 3 shutdown confirmed. Nominal orbit.

VESPA+R payload adapter separation confirmed.

AVUM+ boost 4 ignition confirmed.

AVUM+ boost 4 shutdown confirmed, nominal orbit, and separation of FLEX confirmed. Mission success.