Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket.
facts
providerAvio S.p.A
countryITA
classmedium-lift launch vehicle
payload to LEOkg3,300
reusableno
first flight2022-07-13
flights total7
flights successful6
last flight2026-05-19
next flight2026-09-14
statusactive
price per launchUSD48,000,000
heightm34.8
diameterm3
masskg210,000
crawled events
timeline
- 20252025-11-14Avio takes over commercial exploitation of Vega-C from Arianespaceas of 2026-07-12
- 20242024-12-05Vega-C returns to flight with Sentinel-1C launchas of 2026-07-12
- 20222022-12-21incidentPléiades Neo 5 & 6 launch failureoutcome: Launch Failurecause: 2nd stage Zefiro 40 motor lost chamber pressure from T+151 seconds due to unexpected erosion of carbon-carbon (C-C) material in the motor nozzle's throat insert, caused by the material's flaw in homogeneity.as of 2026-07-08
- 2022-07-13Vega-C completes inaugural flight, places LARES-2 in orbitas of 2026-07-12
- 20152015-08-12ESA signs contracts for Ariane 6 and Vega C developmentas of 2026-07-12
sources
[1] ll.thespacedevs.com ↗
provider2026-07-05country2026-07-05payload to LEO (kg)2026-07-05reusable2026-07-05first flight2026-07-05flights total2026-07-05flights successful2026-07-05last flight2026-07-05status2026-07-05price per launch (USD)2026-07-05height (m)2026-07-08diameter (m)2026-07-08mass (kg)2026-07-08
[2] en.wikipedia.org ↗
classwikipedia2026-07-12
[3] avio.com ↗
next flightfirst-party2026-08-20
faq
Who builds Vega-C?
Vega-C is built by Avio S.p.A. as of 2026-07-05
How many times has Vega-C flown?
Vega-C has flown 7 times. as of 2026-07-05
When did Vega-C first fly?
Vega-C first flew on 2022-07-13. as of 2026-07-05
Is Vega-C reusable?
Vega-C is not reusable. as of 2026-07-05