Vega Flight VV16 – the SSMS PoC mission: Launch postponed; reestablishing the launcher’s full readiness

As winds at altitude above the Guiana Space Center remain unfavorable, the final chronology operations for Vega’s Flight VV16 mission have been suspended.

The Vega launcher and the 53 satellites on board are in a stabilized configuration, and in total safety.

With the weather forecasted not to improve during the coming days, Arianespace decided to initiate operations aimed at reestablishing the launcher’s full readiness by recharging its batteries. Arianespace is checking with its customers to determine whether similar operations are necessary for the satellite passengers.

A new schedule of operations is to be defined. The new target launch date will be communicated at the end of this process, which takes into account weather constraints created by the persistence of high-altitude winds.