This small delivery system has proven to be extremely reliable

Nov 21, 2013 09:53 GMT  ·  By
ESA places order for 10 additional Vega rockets, to be launched from 2015 to 2018
   ESA places order for 10 additional Vega rockets, to be launched from 2015 to 2018

The Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, Stéphane Israel, and CEO of European Launch Vehicle (ELV), Pierluigi Pirrelli, signed a new contract in Rome yesterday, November 20, for the acquisition of 10 more Vega small-scale delivery systems, to be delivered and launched between 2015 and 2018. 

Vega, the Italian acronym for Advanced Generation European Carrier Rocket, is a reliable, expendable delivery system developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Its first flight took place on February 13, 2012 from the Kourou Spaceport in South America.

The new contract adds 10 additional Vega rockets to the 5 vehicles ESA has already ordered back in 2010. Like its larger brother, the Ariane V, this rocket is proving to be very reliable, and capable of delivering payloads up to 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) in low-Earth orbit at very low costs.

With the addition of Vega rockets to its launch arsenal, ESA now has access to all payload ranges. Ariane V carries the heaviest cargoes, while the Russian-built Soyuz launchers handle all medium-weight payloads. ESA can launch Soyuz rockets from a dedicated pad at Kourou.