ESA’s Vega launcher scores new success with Proba-V

The second flight of ESA’s newest launch vehicle has been completed from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

ESA’s Proba-V, an Earth observation satellite, was released into orbit and is now being controlled by ESA’s centre in Redu, Belgium, where it is undergoing a health check and testing before the operational phase starts to monitor the vegetation coverage on planet Earth.

Jean-Jacques Dordain, director general of ESA, commented: “Thanks to decisions taken by member states, ESA and European industry are demonstrating once again their capabilities of innovation. Among the member states, special mention goes to Italy which has led the Vega Programme, Belgium which has led the Proba projects at ESA, and France which has led the development and maintenance of the European spaceport here in Kourou. We are also proud to have made possible the launch of the first satellite from Estonia.”

This second mission demonstrated Vega’s capability, which launched the satellite, to begin multiple satellite stacks with the new VESPA multiple launch adapter, as well as its overall flexibility. It also introduced new flight software developed by contractor ELV and a new tracking station in the north-west of French Guiana that ensures telemetry links during some phases of the flight when they could be affected by the plume from the solid propellants.