Vega C flight VV22
| Vegalaunch | |
|---|---|
| Launch | 21 December 2022, 01:47:31UTC[1] |
| Operator | Arianespace |
| Pad | Kourou,ELV |
| Payload |
|
| Outcome | Failure |
| Vega launches | |
Vega C flight VV22was the 22nd launch of theVegarocket.[2]The rocket failed after launch and the mission was lost.[3]
Payload
[edit]The payload was composed of thePléiades Neo5 and 6 satellites, which would have been the final satellites of France's Pléiades Neo constellation. With their adapters and dispensers, the total payload mass was approximately 1,977 kilograms. They wereAirbus'138th and 139th satellites launched by Arianespace respectively.[2]
Flight
[edit]The flight was launched from theELVlaunch pad inKourou,Centre Spatial Guyanais.[1][2]
Launch failure
[edit]The flight was planned to deploy the satellites into two very slightly differentSun-synchronous orbitsat roughly 620 km.[2]However, the rocket failed after launch and the mission was lost; it was caused by the deviation of theZefiro 40second stage from its intended trajectory following a loss of chamber pressure, resulting in reentry about 917 km (570 mi) north of the launch site over theAtlantic.[3]The problem arose due to erosion of the throat insert procured atKB Pivdennein Ukraine.[4]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ab"New targeted launch dates for flights VV22 and VA259".Arianespace(Press release). 25 November 2022.Retrieved30 November2022.
- ^abcd"Vega flight VV22 launch kit"(PDF).arianespace.com.Arianespace.Retrieved21 December2022.
- ^abClark, Stephen (21 December 2022)."Two Pléiades Neo Earth-imaging satellites lost in failure of Europe's Vega C rocket".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved21 December2022.
- ^Foust, Jeff (3 March 2023)."Nozzle erosion blamed for Vega C launch failure".SpaceNews.Retrieved7 March2023.
