Successful engine test boosts Vega-C toward return-to-flight

The Zefiro-40 stable rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega-C rocket, was examined at present by Vega-C prime contractor Avio at its Salto di Quirra take a look at facility in Sardinia, Italy. The motor options an improved engine nozzle design, required to arrange for a Vega-C return-to-flight by the tip of 2024.

The preliminary post-test assessment signifies that the brand new nozzle meeting carried out as anticipated all through the scheduled 94 seconds burning time of the take a look at, simulating a nominal in-flight efficiency.

The Zefiro-40 is a 7.6 m tall rocket motor, loaded with greater than 36 tons of stable propellant. For this take a look at, the motor was put in on its horizontal take a look at bench. Zefiro-40 is developed and manufactured by Avio of their Colleferro manufacturing facility close to Rome, Italy.

A second firing-test will likely be performed after the summer time to verify the info collected at present. Avio engineers will assessment the info from the primary take a look at to arrange for a second test in October that can then qualify the second stage Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for a return-to-flight by the tip of 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

From Vega to Vega-C

Vega-C is the bigger evolution of the Vega household of rockets. The unique Vega was launched in 2012 and has flown 21 instances. The final Vega flight is scheduled this summer time, after which the mannequin will likely be retired and Vega-C will take over. The smaller Vega variant doesn’t use the Zefiro-40 stage.

ESA is answerable for the Vega-C launch system qualification and likewise purchases launch companies for European institutional missions. The Vega-C improvement program was carried out with participation of 13 ESA Member States, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The Company is the contracting authority for the event of Vega-C, helps each the event and exploitation, whereas additionally offering technical supervision primarily based on its 30 years of expertise.

Avio is the prime contractor and design authority of the Vega-C launchers. Arianespace is the launch service supplier.