Vega-C • Sentinel-1C

Marking its return to flight, a Vega-C rocket launched the Sentinel-1C into a sun-synchronous Earth orbit at an altitude of about 700 km (435 mi.). The mission, also referred to as VV25, delivered the latest satellite that makes up the European Union’s Copernicus fleet, a flagship Earth observation program. The mission was overseen by Arianespace. Delayed from December 3 due to “the need to conduct further precautionary checks and activities on launcher preparation and finalization.” Delayed from Dec. 4 due to “a mechanical issue preventing the withdrawal of the mobile gantry.”