Key facts
By the
numbers.
| Built by | Avio (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Height | 30 m |
| Diameter | 3 m |
| Mass | 137 t |
| Stages | P80 · Zefiro 23 · Zefiro 9 · AVUM |
| Payload | 1.43 t to 700 km polar orbit |
| Flights | 2012–2024 |
The Real Rocket
Vega: history, specs and famous launches
Vega was Europe’s small launcher: a 30 m, four-stage rocket built by Avio for satellites of about 1.5 tonnes. It flew 22 times from Kourou between 13 February 2012 and 5 September 2024, with 20 successes, and has since been replaced by the larger Vega C.
Facts checked October 2026 · sources below
By the
Famous launches
Moments that
made history.
- VV01
Maiden flight with the LARES satellite.
- LISA Pathfinder
Test mission for a future space-based gravitational-wave detector.
- Aeolus
ESA’s satellite measuring Earth’s winds from space.
- SSMS rideshare
53 small satellites on one flight.
- Sentinel-2C
The 22nd and final flight of the original Vega.
Records & firsts
Worth
knowing.
- 22 flights, 20 successful.
- 53 satellites on a single flight with the SSMS rideshare dispenser (2020).
FAQ
Quick
answers.
How tall is the Vega rocket?
30 metres, with a diameter of 3 metres.
Who builds Vega?
Avio, in Colleferro, Italy.
When was the last Vega launch?
On 5 September 2024, carrying Sentinel-2C.
What replaced Vega?
Vega C, which first flew in July 2022.
Sources
Checked
against.
The past
More we’ve built.
Custom models & B2B