A new European rocket called Vega has been installed on the launchpad at Kourou, French Guiana, ready for its first launch in a window beginning on February 9. The European Space Agency will send nine satellites into orbit, marking the end of nine years of development with its partners, Italian space agency ASI, French space agency CNES and industry. The first flight has been dubbed VV01. 

Vega is designed as a small launcher that will carry science and Earth observation satellites into orbit, complementing the heavy Ariane 5 and medium Soyuz rockets already launched from the spaceport.