The inaugural flight of the European Vega rocket took place at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, a state-of-the-art spaceport managed by the French and European space authorities. The Vega rocket, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the Italian Space Agency, was specifically designed to launch small payloads efficiently into orbit, addressing a growing demand for satellite launches. The Vega rocket is significant not just for its payload capacity but also for its versatility and cost-effectiveness in deploying small satellites, which are increasingly popular in various industries, including telecommunications and Earth observation.

The mission was named VV01, and it successfully carried the LERSAT-1 satellite, a demonstration payload that served to test the rocket's systems and performance. The launch marked a new era for Europe in space transportation, as previously, ESA depended largely on international partners for access to space. With Vega, Europe aimed to enhance its sovereignty in this domain while also making access to space more economically viable for small satellite operators.

This launch attracted considerable attention from various stakeholders in the space community, emphasizing Europe's commitment to developing its capabilities in space exploration and technology. The success of the Vega rocket demonstrated Europe's growing influence on the global space stage, prompting further advancements and investments in space technology and research. It set a precedent for subsequent Vega launches, which would continue to expand Europe’s presence in the space industry.