Author Topic: ESA - Vega Updates (Vega, Vega-C, Vega-E, etc. 2005 and forward)  (Read 260171 times)

Offline envy887

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #240 on: 08/09/2018 01:37 pm »
I'm quite sure FH on trajectory to pluto will have higher speed than any Vega variant can reach.
But they probably mean fastest-accelerating. Vega-C should have something like 2.4 G of initial acceleration?
(4.5 MN / 191 tonnes )
Vega reaches 50km in 110 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2fZXgjtdQ?t=46
Falcon Heavy reaches 50km in 140 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT1Yk0q1HBI?t=168

But can it reach Mach 10 in 5 seconds after launch? The Sprint ABM had 3.0 MN of thrust and only massed 3.4 tonnes, a liftoff TWR of 88.


Offline SciNews

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #241 on: 08/10/2018 10:08 am »
But can it reach Mach 10 in 5 seconds after launch? The Sprint ABM had 3.0 MN of thrust and only massed 3.4 tonnes, a liftoff TWR of 88.
The article was about satellite-launch market, not weapons.

Offline envy887

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #242 on: 08/10/2018 11:43 am »
But can it reach Mach 10 in 5 seconds after launch? The Sprint ABM had 3.0 MN of thrust and only massed 3.4 tonnes, a liftoff TWR of 88.
The article was about satellite-launch market, not weapons.
It's an inaccurate clickbait headline. The fastest rocket in the world is the 3-stage Delta IV that is launching PSP tomorrow morning.

Offline edkyle99

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #243 on: 08/10/2018 02:38 pm »
Yes, except that by the time Delta 4H/Star 48 is going that fast, it is no longer "in the world", is it?!

In terms of flat out "zero to 60" acceleration for an orbital launch vehicle, what about Japan's SS-520?  18 tonnes of liftoff thrust for a 2.6 tonne launch vehicle, but no future plans to launch perhaps.

I think a valid comparison of this type might be time to orbital velocity - "zero to orbit".

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 08/10/2018 02:43 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline SciNews

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #244 on: 08/10/2018 03:00 pm »
It's an inaccurate clickbait headline. The fastest rocket in the world is the 3-stage Delta IV that is launching PSP tomorrow morning.
Just move past the title, it's an interesting article.
The Solar Probe will be the fastest, not the rocket launching it
In terms of flat out "zero to 60" acceleration for an orbital launch vehicle, what about Japan's SS-520?  18 tonnes of liftoff thrust for a 2.6 tonne launch vehicle, but no future plans to launch perhaps.
Unfortunately, the SS-520 launch didn't have visual indication of altitude
For an accurate comparison, it must be taken into account that at the same altitude the distance traveled may differ.


Offline SciNews

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #246 on: 09/18/2018 12:34 pm »
ESA: Preparing for Vega-C

Quote
At the end of 2019 Vega-C will be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana increasing performance from Vega’s current 1.5 t to about 2.2 t in its reference 700 km polar orbit, with no increase in launch costs.
Vega-C's first stage is based on the P120, the largest single segment carbon fibre solid-propellant rocket motor ever built. It was successfully tested in July 2018. Its development relies on new technologies derived from Vega’s current first stage P80 motor. Two or four P120C motors will also be used for the liftoff boosters on Ariane 6.
Vega-C’s 3.3 m diameter fairing will accommodate larger payloads such as Earth observation satellites of more than two tonnes, and ESA’s Space Rider reentry vehicle.
The Vega launch pad and mobile gantry are being modified to accommodate Vega-C leading into a period when launch facilities will accommodate both vehicles.

Offline gosnold

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #247 on: 10/17/2018 07:32 pm »
Quote
Stéphane Israël @arianespaceceo

Launch contract signed with #OHBItalia for the National Advanced Optical System (NOAS), an earth observation mission at the benefice of  #Luxembourg’s 🇱🇺 Directorate of Defence. Liftoff in 2022 on a #Vega or #VegaC. #MissiontoSuccess 🚀

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #248 on: 11/24/2018 08:28 am »
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Focus_on_Vega_developments

Focus on Vega developments

Quote
Details of Vega’s developments were presented at the 69th International Astronautical Congress on 1–5 October 2018, in Bremen, Germany (http://www.iafastro.org/). Download the presentation here (.pdf) and paper submitted to the IAC here (.pdf).

These Vega developments are the result of the vision set out at the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in 2014. In November 2019, the Ministerial Council will meet again to discuss Space19+ to direct Europe’s ‘next generation’ ambitions in space, and address the challenges facing not only the European space sector but also European society as a whole.
« Last Edit: 11/24/2018 09:34 am by bolun »

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Offline gongora

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #250 on: 11/26/2018 01:26 pm »
https://twitter.com/HolgerWentscher/status/1066987379335008256
Quote
Production line of VEGA classic at @RuagSpace Emmen with the last three fairing sets in final assembly. Making room for the first @Avio_Group @vega_sts VEGA C which is already in the oven. Note the old (classic) and the new (VEGA C) Horizontal Machining Jigs to the right.

Offline Asteroza

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #251 on: 11/26/2018 10:52 pm »
That bit about uprating AVUM+ into VENUS (first version being a hybrid mode service module with both liquid and electric propulsion, as a service module for Space Rider)(second version being what appears to be a pure SEP stage/tug) is pretty interesting. I wonder how generic VENUS in its second form is, as in can it fly on a different small rocket though. I suppose if you can pay, ESA can deliver?

Offline bulkmail

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #252 on: 12/02/2018 09:51 am »
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Focus_on_Vega_developments

Focus on Vega developments

Quote
Details of Vega’s developments were presented at the 69th International Astronautical Congress on 1–5 October 2018, in Bremen, Germany (http://www.iafastro.org/). Download the presentation here (.pdf) and paper submitted to the IAC here (.pdf).

These Vega developments are the result of the vision set out at the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in 2014. In November 2019, the Ministerial Council will meet again to discuss Space19+ to direct Europe’s ‘next generation’ ambitions in space, and address the challenges facing not only the European space sector but also European society as a whole.

Interesting is that Vega C updates also the AVUM last stage aiming to reduce non-ESA components.
- reduce, but not eliminate/replace all of them?
- haven't seen which specific parts will be replaced and which will remain foreign.
According to this: 2015 presentation, p11
-- Russian tank - replace with Airbus tank
-- US tank - replace with Airbus tank
-- Ukraine engine - replace with Airbus engine

Does anybody have more info on this Airbus engine?

Also, how does that domestication drive fit with the Vega E last stage engine, where some sources mention it'll be LOX/Methane co-developed with Russia?

What other (major) components remain in Vega C that are of non-ESA origin?

Otherwise, a nice progression AVUM+ -> small satellites dispenser -> reusable/returnable orbital plane -> space tug. Is SpaceRider/IXV scalable to human-rated size? Can some ATV-derived systems or structures be utilized for that?

Offline Alpha_Centauri

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #253 on: 12/02/2018 10:22 pm »
Those are old plans. While most parts are still being "europeanised", Vega-C's AVUM+ will retain the RD-869 engine.  As for Vega-E; Avio worked with Russia on the LM10 MIRA, a demonstrator engine, but the production engine (the M10) is being developed in western Europe.
« Last Edit: 12/03/2018 03:34 pm by Alpha_Centauri »

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #254 on: 01/19/2019 01:34 am »
At the South Australian Italian Association dinner for Paolo Nespoli last night, it was announced that Avio is looking to launch its vehicles from South Australia. This is presumably Vega-C using the Southern Launch site at Whalers Bay.
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline calapine

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #255 on: 01/19/2019 01:07 pm »
Interesting.

I wonder what the politics behind this are. At first look it doesn't seem that maintaining two launchsites half a globe apart makes much sense.

Are there any orbital benefits for launching from Australia?

Edit: Spelling and Grammar fixed.
« Last Edit: 01/19/2019 06:59 pm by calapine »

Offline brickmack

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #256 on: 01/19/2019 03:36 pm »
Vega can already do polar orbit from Kourou, but a higher latitude launch site would help payload capacity a bit. Probably not hugely though (tens of kg?)

Offline Alpha_Centauri

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #257 on: 01/19/2019 04:25 pm »
It does seem a bit left-field.  Are you sure they meant Vega-C and not the new Vega-derived micro launcher?

I can only imagine the idea is to be closer to the asian market, which makes more sense for small launchers.
« Last Edit: 01/19/2019 06:23 pm by Alpha_Centauri »

Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #258 on: 01/19/2019 05:26 pm »
Interesting and a little odd development of Avio starts launches from South Australia.
I searched "Whalers Bay Australia" on google maps. It goes to Thistle Island. The Whaler Bay is at the north side, AFAIK a orbital launch side should be located at the South West side of the island.
The launches could go:  South <10deg east. or totally west.
This is the compete opposite from CSG, there they can launch ~5 South from East, to North (? a little west).

I can't imagine a P120C launching away from CSG. But Vega Light or a dual Z40 booster variant could be possible.
Avio ships Z40, Z23 and Z9A stages loades to CSG, they could also ship them to Australia. But the P120c are casted at the Regulus plant at CSG. They can't be shipped (safety regulations). 
Or Avio is looking at their Lyra (Myra engine) project. ...   

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: ESA - Vega Updates
« Reply #259 on: 01/20/2019 03:11 am »
It does seem a bit left-field.  Are you sure they meant Vega-C and not the new Vega-derived micro launcher?

The speaker didn't say which launch vehicle would be used. The use of Vega-C was an assumption on my part, as that was the launcher I was most familiar with. There could certainly be other launchers that Avio is considering.

Interesting and a little odd development of Avio starts launches from South Australia.
I searched "Whalers Bay Australia" on google maps. It goes to Thistle Island. The Whaler Bay is at the north side, AFAIK a orbital launch side should be located at the South West side of the island.
The launches could go:  South <10deg east. or totally west.

To be clear, Whalers Bay is at the bottom tip of the peninsular, not from Thistle Island. It was chosen as it was close to Port Lincoln and Adelaide and allows access to Sun synchronous orbits. Attached image shows the launch azimuth's available.

https://southernlaunch.space/faq/

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Whaler's+Way+Sanctuary/@-34.9209858,134.8007871,8z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0xbc77305e4a10ab73:0x129c6b681c26c8f8!2sWhalers+Bay!3b1!8m2!3d-62.9594019!4d-60.6451326!3m4!1s0x6aabab8966f89c57:0x6e572c17664e484!8m2!3d-34.9344969!4d135.6522274
« Last Edit: 01/20/2019 03:18 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

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