Failure reason: An anomaly occurred shortly after MECO and stage separation. Preliminary findings indicate that super-hot gas from burning solid propellant impinged on the structure of the second stage, causing the vehicle to break apart.

Falcon Eye 1 is a high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite for the United Arab Emirates. Built by Airbus Defense and Space with an optical imaging payload from Thales Alenia Space, Falcon Eye 1 is the first of two surveillance satellites ordered by the UAE’s military.

Mission type: Government/Top Secret · Orbit: Polar Orbit

Rocket: Vega · Provider: Arianespace