Vega C launch deploys Earth observation and climate monitoring satellites

Vega C has completed its VV27 mission, successfully delivering the CO3D and MicroCarb satellites into their respective orbits. Liftoff occurred at 23:03 local time on July 25 (04:03 CEST on July 26), powered by the P120C solid rocket motor which fired for 2 minutes and 23 seconds. The launch sequence continued with ignitions of the Zefiro 40 and Zefiro 9 stages.

The AVUM+ upper stage executed four burns to deploy the satellites: four CO3D spacecraft at an altitude of 495 km, and MicroCarb at 650 km. The mission ended 1 hour and 51 minutes after liftoff with a de-orbit maneuver, aligning with ESA's Zero Debris Charter.

The CO3D satellites, produced by Airbus Defence and Space, will generate high-resolution 3D and 2D maps of Earth's surface for institutional and commercial purposes. Meanwhile, CNES's MicroCarb satellite is set to monitor carbon dioxide sources and sinks, contributing vital data to climate science.

"I would like to thank our team and partners once again for the successful launch of Vega C," said Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio. "The launcher continues to demonstrate its reliability and its critical role in supporting both security and scientific missions. Following this success, we remain on track to take over as the launch service operator after the VV29 mission."