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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Artist's impression of Copernicus Sentinel-1C in its Vega-C launcher. Sentinel-1C is the third Sentinel-1 satellite to be launched as part of Europe’s Copernicus programme. It will continue the critical task of delivering radar imagery for a wide range of services, applications and science – all of which benefit society.
Vega-C is ESA’s smaller rocket specialised in launching to polar orbits for Earth observation satellites such as Sentinel-1C. Together with Ariane 6 – that had its inaugural launch summer 2024 – the two rockets ensure Europe has autonomous access to space for the benefit of our citizens.
This launch is significant as it will be the ‘return to flight’ of Vega-C after it has been grounded since its previous flight in 2022. This launch will be the 25th flight for the Vega family of rockets, the last Vega flight in September 2024 marked the retirement of Vega – Vega-C’s predecessor.
Scheduled to lift off on ESA’s Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, Sentinel-1C will continue the critical task of delivering key radar imagery for a wide range of services, applications and science – all of which benefit society.