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Arianespace launches Vega-C from French Guiana

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Rocket carries satellite for EU environment observation

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Key step in securing European presence in space

(Adds successful deployment of Sentinel-1C satellite, its tasks

and ESA DG quote)

By Giulia Segreti and Tim Hepher

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Europe's Arianespace launched the

Vega-C rocket on Thursday, marking a return to space for the

upgraded Italian launcher two years after it failed during a

debut commercial mission.

Carrying the Sentinel-1C satellite into orbit for the

European Union's flagship Copernicus Earth observation

programme, Vega-C blasted off into leaden skies from its Kourou

launch pad in French Guiana at 6:20 p.m. (2120 GMT), live images

showed.

"Parameters on board are normal," range operations manager

Jean-Frederic Alasa said at the Guiana Space Centre control room

before placing the satellite into "barbecue mode," rotating it

to control the heat effect from the sun's rays about halfway to

its 700-km (435-mile) orbit.

The launch of the small-to-medium-sized uncrewed rocket is

the latest step in securing Europe's access to space after the

Ariane 6 heavy launcher staged an inaugural test flight in July.

Ariane 6's own commercial debut has been delayed to 2025.

"An important day for Italy and for Europe. Vega C is back!"

said Teodoro Valente, president of Italian Space Agency ASI,

which is the main contributor to the Vega programme.

Europe has faced a series of setbacks amid intense

competition from Elon Musk's private U.S. SpaceX launch company.

In December 2022, Vega rockets were grounded after the

latest model failed two-and-a-half minutes into its second

mission - and the first commercial flight - due to an anomaly

with a motor, destroying two Earth-imaging satellites.

EARTH OBSERVATION

Built by Italy's Avio for the European Space Agency

(ESA), Vega-C is due to play a key role after Moscow's invasion

of Ukraine forced the bloc to stop using Russian Soyuz vehicles.

Previously, Europe relied on earlier Vega versions for small

payloads, Soyuz for medium ones, and Ariane - built by

Airbus-Safran venture ArianeGroup - for heavy

loads.

Valente said Thursday's launch of Vega-C was a "step forward

in Europe recovering its autonomy in accessing space".

Arianespace operates all major European launches but that

will change from 2025 when Avio will take over the marketing of

Vega-C following a decision by Italy to take greater control.

The Sentinel-1C satellite - developed and manufactured by

Franco-Italian Thales Alenia Space (TAS), a joint-venture

between Thales and Leonardo - was

successfully dropped off at 08:04 p.m. (2304 GMT).

"With Sentinel-1C into orbit, ESA continues a legacy of

steadfast Sentinels protecting the Earth ... what we send to

space provides benefits to Earth," ESA Director General Josef

Aschbacher said in a statement.

The satellite is expected to expand radar imagery to monitor

the Earth's environment in all weather conditions for several

applications. It is the first satellite of the mission to be

equipped to support maritime safety and traffic management, TAS

said.

With 12 Sentinel satellite families, developers say

Copernicus is the world's biggest Earth observation system and

holds the largest store of radar data.

Reuters reported on Monday that Thales and Leonardo were

looking at setting up a new joint European satellites company,

together with Airbus, to try to compete with Musk's fast-growing

Starlink constellation in low Earth orbit.