Vega C Rocket Failed To Deliver Pleiades Neo Satellites Into Orbit

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Europe's Vega C rocket launched on its second-ever mission from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Tuesday at 9:47 p.m. EST (10:47 p.m. local time; 0247 GMT on Dec. 21). The rocket failed to deliver the Pléiades Neo 5 and Pléiades Neo 6 Earth-imaging satellites into orbit. An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Statement from Arianespace: "Approximately 2 minutes and 27 seconds after liftoff an anomaly occurred on the Zefiro 40 thus ending the Vega C mission. Data analyses are in progress to determine the reasons of this failure."

Credit: Arianespace