Announcement of opportunity for the launch of multiple light satellites on a Vega flightVEGA is a small launcher developed by ESA composed of three solid propellant stages and a bi-liquid upper stage. The launch system has been designed to carry a 1500 kg Spacecraft on its reference low earth orbit mission (700 km circular polar). The launcher has to date successfully performed all its eight flights.In 2014 ESA initiated activities to preliminary assess the feasibility of an improved service dedicated to SmallSats to expand the launcher in-orbit capability to ride-share concepts. The Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) is planned to be ready for a first flight on a Vega launch in the second half of 2018. VEGA SSMS project is targeted to the definition of VEGA service elements tailored for light satellites, notably: a) adapter and dispenser system structures, mechanisms and avionics; b) mission analysis and launch preparation processes and tools by adaptation of the VEGA standard ones.The objective of this Announcement of Opportunity is to identify and pre-select Candidate Spacecrafts for a first Vega flight based on SSMS hardware and processes. The selection process is described at chapter 4. The European Commission adopted on 26 October 2016 the Communication on the Space Strategy for Europe. With the objective of reinforcing Europe's autonomy in access to space, the Commission identified possible areas of action which include supporting research and innovation efforts, in particular to ensure Europe's ability to react to and anticipate disruptive changes; encouraging the development of commercial markets for new space activities.
Quote from: Kosmos2001 on 02/21/2017 02:57 pm[...]A similar project is underway for Soyuz-ST and Ariane-62 versions
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Italian news press agency ANSA has published today an article saying the new P120C passed static dynamic pressure test. http://www.ansa.it/canale_scienza_tecnica/notizie/spazio_astronomia/2017/06/18/completato-con-successo-il-primo-test-del-motore-p120c_54e7dfb3-ff56-4f0d-918b-0b76c6a27b41.html
NEW P120C SOLID ROCKET MOTOR: FIRST BOOSTER CASE SUCCESSFULLY TESTEDAt the eve of the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget (Paris, France), the operational tests for the first P120C casing were successfully completed at the Avio facility in Colleferro. The P120C is the largest monolithic carbon-fibre solid propellant motor in the world, designed to equip on the new Vega C and Ariane 6 launchers, set for their first launch in 2019 and 2020.This first model, made of highly-resistant carbon fibre, was produced at the Avio facility in Colleferro, using the most advanced Fibre Placement and Filament Winding technologies, with a composite material specifically designed and produced by Avio for space applications.The mechanical tests were carried out using a platform specifically designed and built to simulate the actual conditions of a space launch: pressurization inside the combustion chamber, engine thrust and mechanical loads resulting from the launcher’s operational phases.The technological casing, equipped and complete with instrumentation, was subjected to a test cycle up to the maximum engine operating pressure as well as a series of axial load cycles, which demonstrated that the prototype fully corresponded to engineering predictions for its mechanical behaviour.The new and visionary Avio motor will now be sent to the facilities in French Guiana for the first loading of inert propellant at the Regulus plant, following which motor integration tests will proceed at Europropulsion.At the International Paris Air Show, Avio (Hall 1 Stand 318), will showcase the 1:10 scale models of Vega C, Vega E and Vega Light, alongside a brand new scale model of the SSMS (Small Spacecrafts Mission Service) for multiple satellites launches. Also real pieces to be seen, such as the first Vinci turbopump for Ariane 6, the LOx engine Mira, the Zefiro 23 nozzle and the composite skirts of the following motors: Z23, Z40, P80 and P120C.
Our first #VegaC launch services contract! We’ll orbit 4 satellites in @AirbusSpace’s next-gen very high-resolution optical constellation
{speculation mode: Could VEGA F be something for after the Prometheus engine has been developed? P120C + 3.4m diameter Prometheus 2th stage, fairing 3.4 or >4m. And as replacement for Vega a expendable or resuable Promethee - VUS (2.4m diameter)? }
Avio just posted a picture (see attachment) on their Twitter account. Any guesses? 1*Z-23 + 2*Z-9? Or one Z-23 + liquid upper stage.
... “In the meantime, in our facilities in Colleferro we’re continuing to develop launchers that are capable of offering ever greater performance. We have completed the second P120 casing and we’re now ready for the bench-test firing of the first Z40 engine, for the second stage of Vega C.”
VEGA C: 2° STAGE – Z40 MOTOR (MAIN CHARACTERISTICS)- Motor length: 7,6 m- Diameter: 2,3 m- Propellant mass: 36,2 t- Motor dry mass: 3006 kg- Motor case mass: 2080 kg- Average thrust: 1304 kN- Specific impulse: 293,5 s- Combustion time: 92,9 s
Like its predecessor, the structural casing of P120 is made of carbon fibre, which is built from pre-impregnated epoxy sheets through filament winding and automatic fabric deposition. It will contain 141 tons of solid propellant. #VegaC #Avio #Arianespace
I hope dumb questions are allowed here too...this is an autoclave, correct?