Europe's Shiny New Vega Rocket Blasts Off

Europe on Monday successfully launched a new lightweight rocket carrying a test payload, culminating a more than 12-year quest to master the entire range of space launchers.

Cheers, tears of relief and even a soccer-style chant greeted the maiden flight of Vega, a billion-dollar bid for a stake in the market to launch small satellites.

The 81-minute mission was a "qualification" flight carrying nine scientific satellites, aimed at proving a rocket incorporating several major innovations, engineers at the Kourou base in French Guiana said.

For more: Europe's Shiny New Vega Rocket Blasts Off : Discovery News