"Europe's Copernicus Satellite Set for Falcon 9 Launch"

The European Space Agency and the European Commission are considering launching the Sentinel-1C radar imaging satellite, part of the Copernicus Earth observation program, on SpaceX's Falcon 9 as a backup option to avoid further delays caused by the grounding of the Vega C rocket. This potential shift to Falcon 9 could enable an earlier launch, addressing concerns about relying on the return-to-flight launch of Vega C. The move reflects Europe's efforts to overcome its "launcher crisis" and regain independent access to space following various setbacks and challenges.