14 DAY TRIAL // The European Space Agency (ESA) has just released a new review video of the first-ever launch of the Vega delivery system. The small rocket has joined the organization's rocket pool, and now sits alongside the Russian-built, medium-lift Soyuz and Arianespace's heavy-lift Ariane 5.
The first Vega launch marked the successful completion of 9 years of very hard work at the space agency and its contractors. As one who has covered the development process for the better part of the last 3 years, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief when I saw the rocket blast off successfully.
It was launched from the Kourou Spaceport, in French Guiana, South America, from a specially-built launch pad. The entire space center underwent significant changes over the past few years, if we take into account the addition of a launch complex dedicated exclusively to Soyuz rockets.
This special ESA Web-TV edition covers these issues, and more. Host Chloe Chavardes is joined by the manager of the Vega rocket program, Stefano Bianchi.