Avio / Arianespace · Operational · eu · Launch Vehicle

Vega-C

European small-lift launcher; returned to flight December 2024 after 2022 mission failure.

Verified 2026-06-17 · First flight 2022-07-13

Systems cutaway

Systems

Propulsion↗

P120C solid-propellant first stage (same as Ariane 6 strap-on); Zefiro-40 S2; Zefiro-9 S3; AVUM+ liquid upper stage; 4,323 kN liftoff thrust.

Structures↗

3 m diameter; 34.8 m height; four-stage design.

Payload to LEO ↑ better: 2,300 kg; Maximum payload mass deliverable to low Earth orbit (~200–400 km circular), in the vehicle's stated reference configuration.
Liftoff Thrust ↑ better: 4323 kN; P120C first stage; some sources list ~4,500 kN; Total first-stage thrust at liftoff (sea-level), in kilonewtons, summing all active engines and solid strap-ons.
Liftoff Mass ↓ better: 210 t; Total vehicle mass at liftoff including propellant, payload, and all stages, in metric tonnes.
Vehicle Height ↓ better: 34.8 m; Full stack height at liftoff, in metres, including fairing or spacecraft.

propulsion↗

P120C solid-propellant first stage (same as Ariane 6 strap-on); Zefiro-40 S2; Zefiro-9 S3; AVUM+ liquid upper stage; 4,323 kN liftoff thrust.

structures↗

3 m diameter; 34.8 m height; four-stage design.