Arianespace Rocket Explosion Takes out Two Satellites

News travelled fast of a rocket explosion that destroyed two satellites on 17^th November. The two French and Spanish satellites had a combined value of more than $350 million. Soon after the rocket launched, it came tumbling down to the ground as those around watched helplessly. 

Arianespace, the company who manufactured the Vega rocket, is feeling the impact of this failure. Furthermore, the two countries that the satellites belonged to, France and Spain, have incurred huge losses after losing both the satellites. 

The rocket explosion is a step in the wrong direction for the European space agenda. Now more than ever, it needs to set itself apart to be a leader in the global space industry. However this is not the first failure for Arianespace, which has lost two rockets in its three recent launches.

Rocket Explosion Lead to Satellite Loss and Huge Setback for Arianespace

Back in 2019, Arianespace lost another Vega rocket in yet another explosion. That particular rocket was carrying a spacecraft for the UAE’s military. After the explosion, the company CEO was quick to tweet an apology to its customers. 

After that incident, they set out to solve all the problems that caused the crash and announced a new Spanish and French satellite launch. Much to its despair, Arianespace suffered another blow due to the Vega rocket explosion. 

Upon launching from the French Guiana spaceport, the rocket climbed steadily for 8 minutes. After that, the team on the ground lost control after it veered off course and fell to the ground. Luckily, the area it fell to is not inhabited. 

Onboard the Vega rocket was a top of the line Spanish satellite with capabilities of taking high-resolution earth images from 60km above the ground. Researchers need such photos to gain a better understanding of the impact climate change has on the earth. 

Additionally, the images can help keep an eye on disasters affecting different nations as well as some military use. The spacecraft was a great innovation that was made primarily in Spain and was owned by its national government. 

The rocket explosion also took out a French satellite named TARANIS. Its purpose was to enable researchers to get a firm grasp on luminous events that occur during thunderstorms. The rocket explosion took out both of these satellites, much to the disappointment of all stakeholders.