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Updated23/12/2024 10:30 
 




Arianespace News

Arianespace was founded in 1980 as the worlds first launch Service & Solutions company. It now has 24 shareholders from 10 European countries.
ESA Space Transportation
ESA Space Transportation

ESA Space Transportation

January 29th, 2024 06:56:00 EST -0500 Everything rockets
Europe's rockets
October 24th, 2024 06:34:00 EDT -0400 Environmentally sustainable space transport
Ariane 6 cuts a vertical path up, up and away
December 19th, 2024 08:16:00 EST -0500 Second Ariane 6 at Europe’s Spaceport
Upper stage for Ariane 6 flight VA263 arrives at the launcher assembly building
December 18th, 2024 11:58:00 EST -0500 Vega contracts for future operations and development
Radar mission takes to the skies aboard Vega-C
December 17th, 2024 08:00:00 EST -0500 Fit-check timelapse: Themis reusable rocket stage demonstrator
Video: 00:01:20

In December 2024 the first Themis – Europe’s demonstrator of a reusable rocket first stage – completed a ‘full fit-check’ standing tall at ArianeGroup’s facility in Les Mureaux, France.

This step in the rocket development proves that all main elements fit together as planned, confirming the mechanical connections and interfaces from the lower to the upper parts of the rocket stage connect smoothly and as intended.

The 28-m tall model includes the main elements for Themis such as the engine bay, the fuel tanks, the flight control bay and the upper part. It is powered by the new-generation European Prometheus, an engine developed by ArianeGroup that runs on liquid methane and liquid oxygen and can vary its throttle in flight that is necessary for landing.

This fit-check was one of the key requirements and one of the final steps in Les Mureaux to conclude the development phase of Themis – designated T1H for Themis 1-engine Hop – opening the way for its transport to the Esrange Space Center in Sweden from where it will have its first flight next year. Its first flight will be a short hop, taking off and landing from the same location, organised as part of the European Commission Salto programme.

December 17th, 2024 03:52:00 EST -0500 Fit for service: Themis reusable rocket stage demonstrator
Fit for service: Themis reusable rocket stage demonstrator Image: Fit for service: Themis reusable rocket stage demonstrator
December 12th, 2024 05:24:00 EST -0500 Pathfinder activity to pave the way for European very heavy reusable rocket
Pathfinder activity European very heavy reusable rocket
December 10th, 2024 09:00:00 EST -0500 Vega-C liftoff and return-to-flight
Video: 00:04:20

Relive the Vega-C launch, flight VV25, from various angles.

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

December 6th, 2024 03:30:00 EST -0500 Vega-C and Sentinel-1C launch highlights
Video: 00:03:40

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, Sentinel-1C, has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket, flight VV25, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 5 December 2024 at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time).

Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advance scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic. 

The launch also marks Vega-C’s ‘return to flight’, a key step in restoring Europe’s independent access to space. Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

December 5th, 2024 18:15:00 EST -0500 Double win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take to the skies
Vega-C lifts off with Sentinel-1C

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic.

December 5th, 2024 16:35:00 EST -0500 Radar mission takes to the skies
Radar mission takes to the skies Image: Radar mission takes to the skies
December 4th, 2024 10:38:00 EST -0500 Silver Journeys – Space Rider woodcut poster
Silver Journeys – Space Rider woodcut poster Image: Silver Journeys – Space Rider woodcut poster
December 4th, 2024 10:37:00 EST -0500 Silver Journeys – Vega-C woodcut poster
Silver Journeys – Vega-C woodcut poster Image: Silver Journeys – Vega-C woodcut poster
December 4th, 2024 10:33:00 EST -0500 Silver Journeys – Ariane 6 woodcut poster
Silver Journeys – Ariane 6 woodcut poster Image: Silver Journeys – Ariane 6 woodcut poster
December 4th, 2024 09:29:00 EST -0500 Vega-C complete for return to flight
Vega-C with Sentinel-1C on the launch pad