Vega-C / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 14 factsITAactive
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.
key specs
faq
Who builds Vega-C?
Vega-C is built by Avio S.p.A. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many times has Vega-C flown?
Vega-C has flown 7 times. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When did Vega-C first fly?
Vega-C first flew on 2022-07-13. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Is Vega-C reusable?
Vega-C is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
providerAvio S.p.A
countryITA
classunknown
payload to LEO (kg)3300
reusableno
first flight2022-07-13
flights total7
flights successful6
last flight2026-05-19
next flight2026-09-11
statusactive
price per launch (USD)48000000
height (m)34.8
diameter (m)3
mass (kg)210000
timeline
- 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. (source, as of 2026-07-08)
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 flight2026-07-05next flight2026-07-05status2026-07-05price per launch (USD)2026-07-05height (m)2026-07-08diameter (m)2026-07-08mass (kg)2026-07-08