Vega (rocket)

SES Selects Arianespace to Launch EAGLE-1 Satellite for Europe’s Quantum Cryptography

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The first European sovereign space-based QKD system will include the dedicated low earth orbit (LEO) EAGLE-1 satellite and state-of-the-art QKD operations centre in Luxembourg.

Key Points: 
  • The first European sovereign space-based QKD system will include the dedicated low earth orbit (LEO) EAGLE-1 satellite and state-of-the-art QKD operations centre in Luxembourg.
  • In the scope of EuroQCI, the EAGLE-1 satellite will enable early access, validation, and integration of space-based QKD for EU Member States.
  • We have been working with Arianespace for decades to deliver our satellites into space and are delighted for them to be onboard to launch the EAGLE-1 satellite into orbit.
  • Following the launch, the EAGLE-1 satellite will complete three years of in-orbit mission supported by the European Commission.

Spaceflight Inc. and SAB Partner to Fly Sherpa OTVs on Arianespace Vega Missions

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 8, 2022

(SAB LS) to fly its Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) on Arianespace Vega missions.

Key Points: 
  • (SAB LS) to fly its Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) on Arianespace Vega missions.
  • The agreement extends Spaceflight launch capacity on European missions managed by Arianespace for Spaceflights OTV-based services on launches starting as soon as next year.
  • Were excited to build on our already strong relationship with SAB and expand the Spaceflight portfolio of launch partners to include Vega for our family of Sherpa vehicles.
  • Italy-based SAB is part of SAB Group and provides launch services on European launchers, including Vega and Vega C multi-payload missions.

Vega C Successfully Completed Its Maiden Flight

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 13, 2022

The Vega C rocket has completed its inaugural flight, placing the main payload LARES-2 a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency ASI into its planned orbit.

Key Points: 
  • The Vega C rocket has completed its inaugural flight, placing the main payload LARES-2 a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency ASI into its planned orbit.
  • Vega C represents a dramatic capability boost compared to Vega, which has been flying since 2012.
  • Atop that is a new second stage, Zefiro-40, and then the same Zefiro-9 third stage as used on Vega.
  • The Maiden Flight of Vega C has been just completed, but in the coming days we will start to work to the next one, expected by year-end: the first of 7 flights already booked.

Successful Firing of the New M10 Engine for Vega-E

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 6, 2022

The M10 represents, in all intents and purposes, a new-generation green engine, realised with extensive use of additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technologies.

Key Points: 
  • The M10 represents, in all intents and purposes, a new-generation green engine, realised with extensive use of additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technologies.
  • The M10 engine is part of the development of the Vega E launcher, a project coordinated by ESA (European Space Agency) aimed at qualifying the successor of Vega C starting from 2026.
  • With the new M10 engine, Avio is one of the few global players that possesses the innovative cryogenic methane engine technology for space applications.
  • Giulio Ranzo, Avio's CEO, said: "The successful test of the M10 engine represents a historic moment for our Company.

Vega C Selected to Launch the European Sentinel 1C Satellite

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 7, 2022

The new European launcher Vega C, developed by Avio, has been selected by the European Commission and the European Space Agency to launch, in the first half of 2023, the Sentinel 1C satellite for Earth observation through synthetic aperture radar technology.

Key Points: 
  • The new European launcher Vega C, developed by Avio, has been selected by the European Commission and the European Space Agency to launch, in the first half of 2023, the Sentinel 1C satellite for Earth observation through synthetic aperture radar technology.
  • The satellite, which will be positioned in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 690 kilometers, will be added to the already operational Sentinel 1A and 1B.
  • The satellite will have environmental monitoring and security applications.
  • Avio made an important contribution to the Copernicus program through the Vega launcher, which put the Sentinel 2A and 2B satellites into orbit.

Arianespace Signs a Contract With Amazon for 18 Ariane 6 Launches

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Arianespace has signed a contract with Amazon for 18 launches of the Ariane 6 launcher to put the Kuiper constellation of satellites for broadband internet into orbit.

Key Points: 
  • Arianespace has signed a contract with Amazon for 18 launches of the Ariane 6 launcher to put the Kuiper constellation of satellites for broadband internet into orbit.
  • This is the largest agreement so far signed by the consortium that markets European launches.
  • Homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, governments and institutions that do not have access to connectivity will soon have it through the Kuiper project.
  • In particular, for 16 of the 18 Kuiper launches, the rocket will be equipped with an enhanced version of the P120C, called the P120C+.

Avio: Vega Operations Not Impacted in the Medium Term by the Ukraine Conflict

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, March 27, 2022

In relation to recent articles appeared on the press concerning the potential impacts of the on-going Ukrainian conflict on the operations of the Vega launcher, Avio confirms that at present no specific impacts on Vega and Vega C continuity of operations are foreseen in the medium term.

Key Points: 
  • In relation to recent articles appeared on the press concerning the potential impacts of the on-going Ukrainian conflict on the operations of the Vega launcher, Avio confirms that at present no specific impacts on Vega and Vega C continuity of operations are foreseen in the medium term.
  • In particular, the procurement process of the 4th stage engine of Vega and Vega C, manufactured in Ukraine, started several years ago to cover the deliveries for the launches expected up to 2026.
  • Deliveries have been carried out since the beginning, and also in 2022, as originally scheduled, such that as of today Avio does not see specific risks related to the availability of engines in the medium term.
  • Should relevant risks emerge for the long term, adequate communication will promptly be made.

Avio: FY 2021 Results

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 14, 2022

During 2021 also 3 successful Ariane 5 missions have been performed, including the December 2021 James Webb Space Telescope for NASA.

Key Points: 
  • During 2021 also 3 successful Ariane 5 missions have been performed, including the December 2021 James Webb Space Telescope for NASA.
  • Thanks to the resumed Vega launch activities, between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, Arianespace has also signed several launch contracts for both Vega and Vega C the Italian Space Agency, the French Space Agency and the European Space Agency.
  • During 2021, the Italian Government has approved several projects in the space sector for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), some of which specifically aiming at the evolution of propulsion technologies and launcher products.
  • On the basis of the FY 2021 results, the Board of Director has proposed to the Shareholders Meeting to distribute a dividend of 4.5 M (Euro 0.178 per share).

New Launch Service and Development Activities Contracts for Vega C

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 21, 2022

In addition, the Microcarb and NESS launch service contracts were signed with CNES, the French Space Agency, and ESA.

Key Points: 
  • In addition, the Microcarb and NESS launch service contracts were signed with CNES, the French Space Agency, and ESA.
  • Finally, the launch service contracts for the Flex and Altius satellites were signed with the European Space Agency for a launch by 2025.
  • In addition, Avio signed with ESA in December 2021 a new development contract for Vega C for a total value of about 50 Euro million.
  • Such program will enable further Vega C technological optimizations and industrial streamlining, to improve cost-competitiveness.