Vega-C | Pléiades Neo 5 & 6

Failure

Vega-C | Pléiades Neo 5 & 6

Failure reason: 2nd stage Zefiro 40 motor lost chamber pressure from T+151 seconds due to unexpected erosion of carbon-carbon (C-C) material in the motor nozzle's throat insert, caused by the material's flaw in homogeneity.

Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 are the last two in a constellation of four optical high-resolution Earth observation satellites built and operated by Airbus. It is a dual purpose constellation, serving both civilian and military purposes.

Mission type: Government/Top Secret · Orbit: Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Rocket: Vega-C · Provider: Arianespace

Launch pad

Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana · View on map (opens in new tab)