Image: ESA
A satellite that was due to carry out Earth observation for the United Arab Emirates has been destroyed by a rocket failure on its way to orbit, casting a shadow over European space launches.
The multinational launch company Arianespace, which has its headquarters in France, was due to put the UAE’s FalconEye1 satellite into orbit using one of its Vega rockets in the early hours of 11 July. But shortly after liftoff from French Guiana, the company announced that the mission had failed.
“Approximately two minutes after the Vega launcher’s liftoff, shortly after ignition of the second stage, a launcher anomaly occurred—leading to the premature end of the mission,” the company said in a brief statement.
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