Loading photos...
Loading mission resources...
Watch
Live coverage
Stream links and embedded coverage.
More watch links
www.youtube.comOfficial Webcast
Vega C | Flight VV29 | SMILE | Avio
Loading
TMinusZero
Loading
Preparing the latest launch data.
TMinusZero
Loading
Preparing the latest launch data.
Launch Detail
Loading launch detail
Pulling launch timing, vehicle context, weather signals, and mission evidence.
Launch detail
Avio S.p.A • Vega-C • Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) (NA)
Avio S.p.A • Vega-C • LA-1
Live targets are highlighted across the sequence.
Stream links and embedded coverage.
Premium keeps the launch-by-launch change log visible so you can review slips, window edits, and status changes without waiting for an error-driven upgrade prompt.
Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.
Open the launch pad in Google Maps satellite mode using the pad coordinates.
Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.
Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket.
Avio S.p.A. is an Italian company operating in the aerospace sector with its head office in Colleferro near Rome, Italy. Founded in 1908, it is present in Italy and abroad with different commercial offices and 10 production sites.
745e08e5564e193907d6e1b3896ffcec858e9ba945b78a4c2ffe44a79ecf49edLinked via Spaceflight News API (SNAPI).
ArticleESA and China recently launched the joint SMILE magnetosphere mission after a decade of cooperation, but despite similar goals, another collaboration appears...
ArticleSmile successfully launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 19 May 2026.
ArticleSix launches are scheduled worldwide during the next week, with the 12th flight of SpaceX’s… The post Launch Preview: Falcon 9, Electron, and Vega C launch...
ArticleESA’s Smile satellite launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on at 04:52 BST / 05:52 CEST (00:52 loc...
ArticleThe SMILE mission developed jointly by the European Space Agency and China has reached orbit after more than a decade of preparations and cooperation. The p...
ArticleThe Smile spacecraft lifted off on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana at 04:52 BST / 05:52 CEST (00:52 local time) on 19 May 2026. The...
Provider, rocket, pad, and booster history tied to this launch.
Free-to-share photography matched to this launch. Tap a photo to view it at full resolution.
VV29 Patch
Smile Patch0-100 score for how likely the jellyfish effect is to be visible from your location.
A visible jellyfish-style plume is not expected from this viewpoint under the current model.
0 = very unlikely to see it. 100 = best setup.
No visible jellyfish plume is currently expected from this location.
Read the jellyfish effect and JEP FAQ
Did you see a jellyfish-style plume from this viewpoint?