03/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – After several postponements, in particular for meteorological reasons (a hurricane passing), the European Commission announced on Thursday 3 September the successful launch of Europe’s smallest launcher, Vega (mission VV16), the evening before. The launcher has put more than 50 satellites into orbit on behalf of 21 customers from 13 different countries. They have many applications, from terrestrial observation to communication, technological development and scientific research. This is an important flight, following the failure of the Vega launch in the summer of 2019, and should mark the EU’s big return to a growing market for the launch of small and nanosatellites (see EUROPE 12295/21). (PH)