ArianespaceVega-CAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Pléiades Neo 5 & 6
Launched
December 21, 2022 · 01:47 UTC
Image: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin
Summary
Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 launched on an Arianespace Vega-C from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on December 21, 2022 at 01:47 UTC. The mission failed: 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. It was Arianespace's 312th launch, 5th this year and humanity's 6,364th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Vega-C flight. The payload was bound for Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
- Result
- 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.
- Vehicle
- Vega-C · Arianespace
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Government/Top Secret · Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Vega-C flightArianespace's 312th launch5th this yearhumanity's 6,364th orbital launch attempt182nd orbital launch attempt this year
Webcast
Flight preview
About this launch
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.
Pad
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
48th launch from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), 2nd this year · 317th from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Local pad time at liftoff: Dec 20, 10:47 PM GMT-3, at night
56 launches from this pad · 336 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
160 days after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaOpen in maps
Updates
Launch vehicle has failed at some point during second stage's burn, waiting for more details
Show 8 earlier updates
Liftoff
SwGustav · 12/21/2022 · source
Coverage live
SwGustav · 12/21/2022 · source
Updating date and setting GO
Nosu · 11/30/2022 · source
New launch time.
Cosmic_Penguin · 11/30/2022 · source
New launch date.
Cosmic_Penguin · 11/25/2022 · source
Launch postponed to NET December due to a defective equipment on the launcher.
Nosu · 11/24/2022 · source
Updating date, adding T-0 and setting GO
Nosu · 11/8/2022 · source
Targeting November 23
Nosu · 10/14/2022 · source
Questions
When did Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 launch?
Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 launched on December 21, 2022 at 01:47 UTC.
Why did Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 fail?
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.
Where can I watch Pléiades Neo 5 & 6?
Coverage: Flight VV22 – Zoom in | Pleiades Neo 5 & 6 | Vega C launch | Arianespace. Watch the replay
What rocket launched Pléiades Neo 5 & 6?
Vega-C, flown by Arianespace. Vega-C spec sheet
Where did Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 launch from?
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana. Liftoff was Dec 20, 10:47 PM GMT-3 local time at the pad.
What orbit was Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 going to?
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a government/top secret mission.