Berlin, Dec. 21 (AP) The launch of a European Vega C rocket carrying two Airbus satellites failed less than three minutes after liftoff from the European base in French Guiana on Wednesday.
Arianespace, which provided the launch service, said in a statement that “an anomaly occurred” approximately 2 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff, “thereby achieving the Vega C mission.”
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He did not provide further information, but planned to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
“Data analyzes are ongoing to determine the reasons for this failure,” he said.
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It was the first commercial launch of a Vega C rocket, Europe’s light launcher capable of lifting about 800 kilograms (1,700 pounds) into space.
The launch, operated by the European Space Agency, was intended to put into orbit two Earth observation satellites made by Airbus, Pleiades Neo 5 and 6. The satellites would have been part of a constellation capable of taking images of any point on the globe with a resolution of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches).
The rocket successfully made its maiden voyage on July 13.
The Vega C development program has been managed by ESA and involves 12 of the agency’s 22 member states. (AP)
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