Vega-C Rockets Back: Europe’s Sentinel-1C Soars

The European Vega-C rocket triumphantly returned to flight on December 5, 2024, launching Sentinel-1C from Kourou after a two-year hiatus following last year's setback. Sentinel-1C, part of the Copernicus program, enhances radar imagery for climate and maritime monitoring, bolstering Europe’s independent space stance after Russian reliance wobbled. With four Vega-C launches slated for 2025 and Ariane 6 debuting soon, ESA and partners rocket ahead—no pun intended!