Europe's New Vega Rocket

esa concept

The European Space Agency (ESA) is designing a new space rocket, to be called Vega and intended to carry up to low-Earth orbit a variety of payloads too small for Europe's big Ariane 5 rocket or or the Russian Soyuz/Starsem launcher.

Built mostly by Italy, the 33-ft.-long solid-fuel rocket will be able to ferry a small satellite weighing up to 2 metric tons to a 435-mi.-high equatorial orbit. The rocket also would be able to lift a 1.5-ton satellite to a 450-mi.-high polar orbit.

Vega will make its maiden flight in 2006.

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