ESA Copernicus

Europe’s first defense and space commissioner, a self-proclaimed transatlanticist, sets an “ambitious” agenda for the region’s defense.

Arianespace says the VV25 mission will see Vega-C loft the Sentinel-1C satellite, the sixth in the European Copernicus Earth observation program.

Europe has now retired its Vega light launcher after the final mission that lofted the Copernicus Sentinel-2C Earth-observation satellite into orbit.

At issue is a founding principle of the Copernicus program.

The UK has rejoined the EU’s Horizon research and development initiative, much to the delight of the nation’s aerospace industry.