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Launch FailureArianespace

Vega-C: Pléiades Neo 5 & 6

Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 are the last two in a constellation of four optical high-resolution Earth observation satellites built and operated by Airbus. It is a dual purpose constellation, serving both civilian and military purposes.

Failure:2nd stage Zefiro 40 motor lost chamber pressure from T+151 seconds due to unexpected erosion of carbon-carbon (C-C) material in the motor nozzle's throat insert, caused by the material's flaw in homogeneity.
Wednesday, 21 December 202201:47 UTC
Vega-C: Pléiades Neo 5 & 6

Mission Data

Arianespace
🇪🇺ArianespaceEst. 1980
Launch VehicleVega-C
Vehicle FamilyVega
Vehicle Record7 of 8 launches (87.5%)
Provider TypeCommercial
Agency Record313 successes / 15 failures (95%)
Success Streak16 consecutive
Mission TypeGovernment/Top Secret
Target OrbitSun-Synchronous Orbit
Launch PadAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
LocationGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana GUF
Orbital Launches This Year#182
Agency Launches This Year#5
Launches From This Pad56
Launches From This Site336
Status Note

Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.

About Vega-C

Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket.

Launch updates

  1. Launch vehicle has failed at some point during second stage's burn, waiting for more details

  2. Liftoff

  3. Coverage live

  4. Updating date and setting GO

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  5. New launch time.

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  6. New launch date.

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  7. Launch postponed to NET December due to a defective equipment on the launcher.

    Source ↗

  8. Updating date, adding T-0 and setting GO

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  9. Targeting November 23

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Launch Site

Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) · 5.2360°N 52.7750°W

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.