Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX

Vega-C Set to Launch Sentinel-3C: Advancing Earth Observation

On October 31, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace are scheduled to launch the Vega-C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. This mission will deploy Sentinel-3C, the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 series, into a sun-synchronous orbit. As part of the Copernicus Earth observation program, Sentinel-3C aims to enhance global monitoring of oceans, land, and atmosphere, providing critical data for climate research, disaster management, and environmental policy.

The primary objectives of the Sentinel-3 mission revolve around delivering high-accuracy measurements to support marine and land services. Sentinel-3C, like its predecessors, carries a suite of advanced instruments, including the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) for optical imaging, the Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) for thermal data, and a radar altimeter for precise sea-level and wave-height measurements. These tools enable the satellite to track ocean color changes indicative of phytoplankton blooms, monitor sea surface temperatures for weather forecasting, and assess land vegetation health. With a payload mass of approximately 1,250 kilograms, Sentinel-3C offers improved resolution and data continuity over earlier models, ensuring seamless integration with Sentinel-3A and -3B. This constellation approach allows for frequent revisits—every two days at the equator—facilitating real-time applications like oil spill detection and crop yield predictions. By contributing to the Copernicus program's vast data repository, Sentinel-3C supports international efforts in sustainable development, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals on climate action and life below water.

At the heart of this mission is the Vega-C launch vehicle, an evolution of the original Vega rocket designed for small to medium payloads. Developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Avio, with ESA oversight, Vega-C stands 34.8 meters tall and weighs about 210 tons at liftoff. It features four stages: the solid-fueled P120C first stage (shared with Ariane 6 for cost efficiency), Zefiro 40 second stage, Zefiro 9 third stage, and the liquid-fueled AVUM+ upper stage for orbital adjustments. This configuration provides a payload capacity of up to 2,300 kilograms to low Earth orbit, a 50% increase over the original Vega, thanks to enhanced thrust and structural optimizations