The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the lift off of Arianespace's Vega flight VV16 on 2 September, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket will deliver 53 light satellites into two separate orbits using a new dispenser called the Small Spacecraft Mission Service, or SSMS. ESA said Vega's SSMS rideshare missions will maximise the number of satellites on each launch, lowering the cost per ridesharing customer. The SSMS can be used for a dedicated rideshare or to fit clusters of small satellites on the launch of a large satellite.
The rocket launch was delayed many times due to bad weather conditions.
