VEGA C SUCCESSFULLY PUTS IN ORBIT CO3D AND MICROCARB SATELLITES

Colleferro (Rome), 26 July  2025 – Vega C has successfully completed the VV27 mission, placing the CO3D and MicroCarb satellites into orbit.

The launcher lifted off at 23:03 local time on July 25th (04:03 CEST on July 26th). The P120C solid rocket motor provided the thrust at liftoff and burned for 2 minutes and 23 seconds, followed by ignition of the Zefiro 40 stage, and then the Zefiro 9. The AVUM+ upper stage performed four ignitions to deploy the four CO3D satellites and MicroCarb into their designated orbits, at an altitude of 495 km and 650 km respectively. The mission concluded after 1 hour and 51 minutes with the stage’s de-orbit burn, in compliance with ESA’s Zero Debris Charter.

The CO3D satellites, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, aim to provide high-resolution 3D mapping of Earth’s surface for both institutional and commercial users, along with 2D imagery capabilities. MicroCarb, a satellite developed by CNES, is designed to study the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the most significant greenhouse gas driving climate change.

Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, commented: “I would like to thank our team and partners once again for the successful launch of Vega C. The launcher continues to demonstrate its reliability and its critical role in supporting both security and scientific missions. Following this success, we remain on track to take over as the launch service operator after the VV29 mission.”