... ESA continues to implement the sanctions on Russia decided by its Member States and to assess their impact on ongoing programmes. This work continues in close coordination with industrial and international partners.For missions affected by Roscosmos’ withdrawal of Soyuz launches from Europe’s Spaceport and for which ESA is the launch service procuring entity, being Galileo M10, Galileo M11, Euclid and EarthCare– ESA is assessing the Ariane 6 and Vega-C launch services, and will propose a baseline and back-up option for each of these missions in anticipation of the ESA Council meeting in June. Regular exchanges between ESA and EC are addressing the Galileo launch services.ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander adds that work continues on mitigation measures to secure the continuity of Vega-C launch services and on ensuring the maximum Ariane 6 launch services for institutional missions in the period 2023/2024.
ESA-developed P120C solid rocket motor enters production31/03/2022ESA’s Ariane 6 and Vega-C will soon join the family of launch vehicles operating from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to guarantee more opportunities for Europe to reach space. The P120C motor, which will power both Ariane 6 and Vega-C, will soon come into operations with the Vega-C inaugural flight.The ‘C’ stands for ‘common’ as P120C will be used as the first stage of Vega-C and two or four will be used as strap-on boosters for Ariane 6. To successfully develop a motor for use on two very different launch vehicles is a pivotal achievement of European industry. This strategy reduced development costs, benefits from economies of scale, and creates an opportunity for Europe to scale up production.The P120C motor is ESA’s new solid propulsion workhorse. The P120C will burn for about 130 s using 142 t of fuel to deliver a liftoff thrust of about 4500 kN. It was developed by Europropulsion, which is owned jointly by Avio and ArianeGroup.P120C is 13.5 m long and 3.4 m in diameter. Its 25 cm-thick monolithic casing is made using carbon composite material at Avio in Italy. ArianeGroup in France developed the advanced P120C nozzle, while Nammo in Norway provided the igniter. Efficient production methods have shortened production cycles and optimised costs. Increased power for increased competitiveness with P120C+Plans for a more powerful version of this motor, called the P120C+, are already in motion. The increased performance and competitiveness will better respond to evolving institutional and commercial demand requiring versatility improvements.With an extra 14 t of solid propellant in a casing that is extended by about one meter, the P120C+ enables extra payload capacity. This would make the Ariane 6 and Vega-C vehicles more competitive and versatile, extending the range of mission opportunities. The new motor would replace the P120C for use on both Ariane 6 and Vega-C.The P120C+ plan will be part of proposals submitted for consideration at the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level in 2022.“The P120C solid rocket motor will allow both Ariane 6 and Vega-C to lift off from Earth. With P120C+ we will further improve the launch capability and cost efficiency of both launch vehicles, enhancing the launch services for European institutional missions” commented Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Space Transportation.https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/ESA-developed_P120C_solid_rocket_motor_enters_production
“ Plans for a more powerful version of this engine, called P120C+, are already underway ,” says the European Space Agency. “ With an additional 14 t of solid propellant in a case that is approximately one meter longer, the P120C+ allows for a larger payload ”.
Vivian Quenet, Arianespace’s managing director and head of sales for the Asia-Pacific region, announced the timetable during a fireside chat at Asia Satellite Business Week in Singapore {on June 1}.“After that one [Ariane 5 launch] {VA257} we will have the maiden flight of the Vega C” in {the} first week of July, Quenet said, and then “towards the end of the year, we have the maiden flight of Ariane 6, which is our heavy launcher which will replace Ariane 5.”
