How Europe’s lightweight Vega rocket mastered the art of launching small satellites into orbit.

Since 2012, the Vega rocket has served as a specialized workhorse for the European Space Agency. This video explores its history, technical design, and the diverse missions it enabled, from monitoring Earth's wind to testing advanced reentry technology for future spacecraft.

Standing 30 meters tall and weighing 137 tonnes, Vega was designed as a powerful yet lightweight vehicle. Its first three solid-propellant stages reach space in only six minutes, while a fourth liquid-propellant stage handles orbital insertion. The rocket is optimized for polar orbits, making it ideal for small satellite missions like the Proba-V vegetation watcher and the Aeolus wind-monitoring satellite.

Beyond standard launches, Vega proved critical for testing new capabilities. In 2015, it launched the IXV reentry demonstrator, which reached speeds of 27,000 km/h at an altitude of 412 km, proving Europe's ability to return vehicles safely to Earth. This mission paved the way for the upcoming reusable Space Rider spacecraft. Vega also pioneered ride-sharing for small satellites using the Vespa adapter, culminating in a 2020 mission that carried over 50 satellites simultaneously.

Source: Vega for ESA: the story