# Vega flight VV17

> Failed space launch

**Wikidata**: [Q102146059](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102146059)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_flight_VV17)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vega-flight-vv17

## Summary
Vega flight VV17 was a failed space launch on November 17, 2020, as part of the Vega rocket program. The mission carried the TARANIS satellite and SEOSat-Ingenio payloads but ended in failure, marking the first loss of a Vega rocket. It was operated by Arianespace and launched from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility in French Guiana.

## Key Facts
- **Launch date**: November 17, 2020
- **Operator**: Arianespace
- **Launch vehicle**: Vega
- **Launch site**: Ensemble de Lancement Vega, French Guiana
- **Payloads**: TARANIS (CNES Earth observation satellite) and SEOSat-Ingenio
- **Outcome**: Mission failure
- **Preceded by**: Vega flight VV16
- **Followed by**: Vega flight VV18
- **Payload mass**: 1,192 kilograms
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit

## FAQs
### Q: What caused the failure of Vega flight VV17?
A: The failure was attributed to a malfunction in the rocket's upper stage, which resulted in the loss of the mission.

### Q: What were the payloads on Vega flight VV17?
A: The mission carried the TARANIS satellite (a CNES Earth observation satellite) and SEOSat-Ingenio.

### Q: Where did Vega flight VV17 launch from?
A: The launch took place from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega facility in French Guiana.

### Q: What was the significance of Vega flight VV17?
A: It marked the first failure of the Vega rocket, a significant setback for the European space program.

### Q: What was the total payload mass of Vega flight VV17?
A: The combined payload mass was 1,192 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Vega flight VV17 was a pivotal moment in the history of the Vega rocket program, marking its first and only failure. The mission aimed to deploy the TARANIS satellite for CNES and SEOSat-Ingenio for Spain, but a malfunction in the upper stage led to the loss of the payloads. This setback highlighted the challenges in space launch reliability and prompted investigations into the cause of the failure. Despite the failure, the Vega rocket continued with subsequent missions, including Vega flight VV18, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.

## Notable For
- **First Vega failure**: Marked the only recorded failure of the Vega rocket program.
- **Payload loss**: Resulted in the loss of the TARANIS and SEOSat-Ingenio satellites.
- **Investigative significance**: Provided data for improving future Vega missions.
- **Sun-synchronous orbit attempt**: The mission aimed to place payloads in a sun-synchronous orbit.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Vega flight VV17 was the 17th flight of the Vega rocket, operated by Arianespace. The mission launched from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega in French Guiana on November 17, 2020. It carried two primary payloads: TARANIS, a CNES Earth observation satellite, and SEOSat-Ingenio, a Spanish satellite for Earth observation.

### Failure Details
The mission ended in failure due to a malfunction in the rocket's upper stage. This marked the first and only recorded failure of the Vega rocket, a significant setback for the European space program. The total payload mass was 1,192 kilograms, and the mission aimed to place the satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit.

### Context and Legacy
Vega flight VV17 was preceded by Vega flight VV16 and followed by Vega flight VV18. The failure prompted investigations into the cause of the malfunction, contributing to improvements in future Vega missions. Despite the setback, the Vega rocket continued to operate, demonstrating its reliability in subsequent launches.

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