# Vega-C flight VV21

> space launch

**Wikidata**: [Q116255129](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116255129)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vega-c-flight-vv21

## Summary
Vega-C flight VV21 (also styled VV21) was a successful Vega-C launch by the European Space Agency that placed multiple payloads into low Earth orbit on 2022-07-13 at 11:13 UTC. The mission launched from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega and carried LARES-2, AstroBio CubeSat, GreenCube, and a Small Spacecraft Mission Service payload.

## Key Facts
- Vega-C flight VV21 launched on 2022-07-13 at 11:13 (UTC).  
- Launch vehicle: Vega C (an ESA orbital launch vehicle).  
- Operator: European Space Agency.  
- Launch site / start point: Ensemble de Lancement Vega.  
- Mission result: success.  
- Primary payloads: LARES-2, AstroBio CubeSat, GreenCube, and a Small Spacecraft Mission Service payload.  
- Orbital target: low Earth orbit.  
- Part of the Vega C series (part_of_series: Vega C; series identifier: 1).  
- VV21 followed Vega flight VV20 and was followed by Vega-C flight VV22.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Vega-C flight VV21?
A: Vega-C flight VV21 was a successful Vega C rocket launch operated by the European Space Agency that placed multiple satellites into low Earth orbit on 2022-07-13.

### Q: When and where did VV21 launch?
A: VV21 launched on 13 July 2022 at 11:13 UTC from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega launch complex.

### Q: What payloads did VV21 carry?
A: The mission carried LARES-2, AstroBio CubeSat, GreenCube, and a Small Spacecraft Mission Service payload.

### Q: Was the VV21 mission successful?
A: Yes. The mission outcome is recorded as success.

### Q: How does VV21 fit into the Vega/Vega-C series?
A: VV21 is part of the Vega C series of launches; it followed Vega flight VV20 and was followed by Vega-C flight VV22.

## Why It Matters
Vega-C flight VV21 is a representative operational mission in the European Vega C program, demonstrating the launcher’s capability to deliver multiple small and scientific payloads to low Earth orbit. By successfully deploying a mix of spacecraft — including LARES-2 and several smallsat technology and science demonstrators — VV21 supported continued access to LEO for scientific, technology demonstration, and smallsat missions under ESA launch services. As part of the Vega C series, VV21 contributed to the operational cadence and validation of Vega C performance after earlier flights, maintaining Europe’s domestic lightweight-launcher capability and providing routine launch opportunities from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega. Its placement between VV20 and the subsequent VV22 provides program continuity and operational data for the evolving Vega family of vehicles.

## Notable For
- Being a successful Vega-C mission that launched on 2022-07-13 at 11:13 UTC.  
- Carrying multiple payload types on a single Vega-C flight: LARES-2, AstroBio CubeSat, GreenCube, plus a Small Spacecraft Mission Service payload.  
- Launching from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega under European Space Agency operations.  
- Occupying a specific position in the Vega/Vega-C flight sequence (followed VV20; preceded VV22).

## Body

### Overview
- Name: Vega-C flight VV21 (alias: VV21).  
- Instance of: space launch; Vega C; spaceflight; Vega.  
- Description: a Vega-C class space launch operated by the European Space Agency.

### Launch details
- Launch date: 2022-07-13.  
- Launch time: 11:13 (UTC) (qualifier recorded).  
- Launch vehicle: Vega C.  
- Launch site / start point: Ensemble de Lancement Vega.  
- Operator: European Space Agency.

### Payloads and orbit
- Payloads on VV21:  
  - LARES-2  
  - AstroBio CubeSat  
  - GreenCube  
  - Small Spacecraft Mission Service (listed among mission parts)  
- Intended orbit: low Earth orbit.

### Mission outcome
- The mission is recorded with effect: success.

### Series context and relationships
- Part of series: Vega C (part_of_series qualifier value: 1).  
- Followed: Vega flight VV20.  
- Followed by: Vega-C flight VV22.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Vega-C flight VV21",
  "description": "A successful Vega-C launch by the European Space Agency on 2022-07-13 that delivered multiple payloads to low Earth orbit.",
  "additionalType": "space launch"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/413)