Avio S.p.AVega-CAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
CRISTAL-A
Launch window
No countdown — this launch time is not yet known to the minute.NET Q4 2027Add to calendar
Image: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin
Summary
CRISTAL-A is expected to launch on an Avio S.p.A Vega-C from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana in Q4 2027. It is Avio S.p.A's 13th launch, 9th this year and humanity's 7,679th orbital launch attempt. It is planned as the 15th Vega-C flight and the 5th this year. The payload is bound for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
- Watch
- No webcast announced yet.
- Vehicle
- Vega-C · Avio S.p.ACopernicus
- Booster
- No booster details available.
- Mission
- Earth Science · Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)for ESA
- Milestone
- Planned as the 15th Vega-C flight · 5th this yearAvio S.p.A's 13th launch9th this yearhumanity's 7,679th orbital launch attempt147th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
First of two Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter (CRISTAL) satellites, carrying a dual-frequency radar altimeter along with a microwave radiometer to measure and monitor changes in sea-ice thickness, overlying snow depth and ice-sheet elevation.
News
Pad
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Planned as the 66th launch from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), 8th this year · 361st from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
56 launches from this pad · 336 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
31 days after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaOpen in maps
Updates
Adding launch NET late 2027
Questions
When does CRISTAL-A launch?
CRISTAL-A is scheduled in Q4 2027.
Where can I watch CRISTAL-A live?
No webcast has been announced yet.
What rocket is launching CRISTAL-A?
Vega-C, flown by Avio S.p.A. Vega-C spec sheet
Where is CRISTAL-A launching from?
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is CRISTAL-A going to?
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a earth science mission.
Which program is CRISTAL-A part of?
Copernicus. About Copernicus