The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Europe’s Vega-C launch vehicle from Europe's Spaceport in France Guiana. Vega-C offers increased performance and more launches to multiple orbits at a similar cost to Vega.
Vega-C is a single body rocket about 35 m tall with a mass at liftoff of 210 tonnes. It is able to place about 2200 kg in a reference 700 km polar orbit. This will meet the needs of European institutions and industry.
Using a range of payload carriers, Vega-C can accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes ranging from multiple small satellites as small as one kilogram up to a single large payload.
Vega-C offers developments extending to include in-orbit operations and return from space using the fully integrated Space Rider reentry vehicle.
Participating States in the Vega-C development are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.