# Vega flight VV01

> space launch

**Wikidata**: [Q56290488](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56290488)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_flight_VV01)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vega-flight-vv01

## Summary
Vega flight VV01 was the maiden flight of the European Vega rocket, launched on February 13, 2012, from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility. It successfully carried nine small satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the first operational use of the new European launch vehicle. The mission was operated by the European Space Agency and demonstrated the Vega rocket's capability to deliver payloads to orbit.

## Key Facts
- Launched on February 13, 2012, from Ensemble de Lancement Vega
- First flight (maiden flight) of the European Vega rocket
- Operated by the European Space Agency
- Carried a total payload mass of 680 kilograms
- Successfully delivered nine satellites to low Earth orbit
- Satellites included LARES, ALMASat-1, e-st@r, Goliat, MaSat-1, PW-Sat, ROBUSTA, UniCubeSat-GG, and Xatcobeo
- Classified as both a Vega flight and a rocket launch
- Followed by Vega flight VV02

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Vega flight VV01?
A: Vega flight VV01 was the maiden flight of the European Vega rocket, designed to demonstrate the rocket's capability to deliver small satellites to low Earth orbit. It successfully launched nine scientific and educational satellites as its payload.

### Q: When and where did Vega flight VV01 launch?
A: Vega flight VV01 launched on February 13, 2012, from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility, which is the dedicated launch site for the Vega rocket at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

### Q: What satellites were carried on Vega flight VV01?
A: The mission carried nine small satellites: LARES (a laser relativity satellite), ALMASat-1, e-st@r, Goliat, MaSat-1, PW-Sat, ROBUSTA, UniCubeSat-GG, and Xatcobeo, representing various European universities and research institutions.

## Why It Matters
Vega flight VV01 was a critical milestone for European space capabilities, representing the first successful launch of a new, independent European small satellite launcher. Prior to Vega, European access to space for small payloads was limited, often requiring rideshare on larger rockets or reliance on foreign launch services. The Vega program, developed by the European Space Agency and industrial partners, filled a crucial gap in the launch market for small satellites weighing up to 1.5 tons. This maiden flight demonstrated Europe's technological independence in this segment and opened new opportunities for European scientific, educational, and commercial space missions. The success of VV01 validated years of development and positioned Europe as a competitive player in the global small satellite launch market, supporting the growing demand for dedicated small launch services.

## Notable For
- First successful launch of the European Vega rocket
- Maiden flight carrying the largest number of satellites (nine) on a Vega mission
- Demonstrated Europe's independent capability for small satellite launches
- Included LARES, a high-precision laser relativity satellite for fundamental physics research
- Marked the operational debut of the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility

## Body
### Mission Overview
Vega flight VV01 was the inaugural launch of the Vega launcher, developed under the European Space Agency's Vega program with industrial leadership from Avio. The mission's primary objective was to qualify the new launch vehicle in operational conditions while delivering multiple small scientific and educational payloads to low Earth orbit.

### Launch Vehicle Specifications
The Vega rocket used in VV01 stands approximately 30 meters tall and is a four-stage vehicle using solid propellant for its first three stages and liquid propellant for the upper stage. It was specifically designed to accommodate small satellite payloads ranging from 300 to 2500 kg, filling a niche between Europe's existing Ariane 5 heavy launcher and Russia's Soyuz medium launcher.

### Payload Details
The nine satellites carried on VV01 represented a diverse range of missions:
- LARES (Laser Relativity Satellite) - a 400 kg passive satellite for testing general relativity
- ALMASat-1 - a 12.5 kg technology demonstrator from the University of Bologna
- e-st@r - a 1 kg CubeSat from the Polytechnic University of Turin
- Goliat - a 1 kg CubeSat from the University of Bucharest
- MaSat-1 - a 1 kg Hungarian university satellite
- PW-Sat - a 1 kg Polish CubeSat
- ROBUSTA - a 1 kg French university satellite
- UniCubeSat-GG - a 1 kg Italian university satellite
- Xatcobeo - a 1 kg Spanish university satellite

### Launch Site
The launch occurred from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega (ELV) at the Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. This facility was purpose-built for the Vega program and represents a significant investment in European space infrastructure, providing dedicated launch capabilities for small satellites.

### Mission Outcome
The launch was declared a complete success, with all nine satellites reaching their intended orbits. This achievement validated the Vega rocket's design and performance, paving the way for subsequent commercial and scientific missions using the new launch vehicle.