According to CEO Giulio Ranzo, @Avio_Group completed the first 200-second firing of its new M10 engine yesterday. It has now completed 18 tests totaling 800 seconds. The M10 engine is being developed for the upper stage of the company's Vega E launch vehicle.
https://twitter.com/JasonRainbow/status/1557761031233060870QuoteJason Rainbow @JasonRainbowSpaceflight's Sherpa-LTC2 orbital transfer vehicle is on its way to Cape Canaveral for a second attempt to debut the chemically powered space tug on a SpaceX launch - SpaceNewshttps://spacenews.com/spaceflights-chemically-powered-space-tug-heads-for-launch/ [August 11]
Jason Rainbow @JasonRainbowSpaceflight's Sherpa-LTC2 orbital transfer vehicle is on its way to Cape Canaveral for a second attempt to debut the chemically powered space tug on a SpaceX launch - SpaceNewshttps://spacenews.com/spaceflights-chemically-powered-space-tug-heads-for-launch/ [August 11]
Spaceflight said it signed a deal [announced August 8] to access Vega [includes Vega-C] with Italy’s SAB Launch Services — which also provides launch services on other European launchers — to cover launches starting as soon as next year. [Spaceflight CEO Curt] Blake said Spaceflight is “very close to identifying specifics” for the customers and Vega missions that would use Sherpa, with the first launch likely around the end of 2023 or early 2024.
Avio is involved in the development and production of the P160 first-stage engine (an upgraded version of the P120), which is also designed to yield a further 10 percent performance increase to Vega C and also to future Vega E. With this contract, Avio also expects to achieve economies of scale on the P120/P160 production, which will also benefit the overall Vega program.
... Avio will develop a new high-thrust engine that will exploit the LOX-methane technology of the M10 engine along with other technologies such as non-pyrotechnic separation systems and cryogenic propellant tanks. These technologies will be tested through two technology demonstrators scheduled for launch in 2024 (suborbital version) and 2026 (orbital version), respectively. Such technologies will increase Avio’s launcher capabilities and competitiveness.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Avio confirms that it has over time built a significant stock of AVUM engines available for Vega and Vega C, so Vega's operation through the medium term is not going to be impacted by the war events to date.
Avio also announces the signing of an MoU with CDP Venture Capital SGR for structured cooperation in the important aerospace startup scenario emerging in Italy. Leveraging this agreement, Avio has joined the Takeoff startup accelerator based in Turin and directed by Plug & Play. This program will provide Avio with the opportunity to review and engage with a number of entrepreneurial initiatives also with a view to making potential future investments.
... the flight backlog of Vega C is 7 flight (plus 2 Vega flights yet to be performed).
... M10 oxygen-methane engine has successfully completed 23 ignition tests with a cumulative operating time of more than1200 seconds
The Ministerial Council of ESA Member States took place in Paris on Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 November, allocating budgets for space research and development programs for the three-year period 2023-2025.
... the programs in which Avio is prime contractor or co-prime contractor, such as Vega C, Vega Evolution, and Space Rider have been significantly expanded in outlook. In particular, the following has been approved:- the completion of the development of Vega E, successor to the Vega C launcher, which will use the M10 methane upper stage (successfully tested by Avio at the SPTF test center in Sardinia recently)- A program to strengthen Vega C, aimed at increasing the frequency of annual launches, improving technology and reducing dependence on critical suppliers- The completion of the Space Rider program.- A new Italy-led program to build a re-usable upper stage- The planned modification of the P120 solid rocket motor to increase its performance for the benefit of both the Ariane 6 and Vega C/E launchersOther programs include the completion of Ariane 6 development activities with Maiden Flight confirmed in 2023.
Avio announces the signature of a contract by Arianespace with the European Commission for five Vega C launches for the Copernicus earth observation constellation satellites, to be executed between 2024 to 2026.
Thanks to this contract, the Vega C launch backlog reaches 13 flights, plus 2 Vega launches, for a total of 15 flights
Rome 13 March 2023 - Today, two contracts were signed at the headquarters of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy in the presence of Minister Adolfo Urso, the Director of Space Transportation Systems of the ESA, Daniel Neuenschwander, and the CEO of Avio, Giulio Ranzo. The total value of the contracts is over €285 million and is part of the initiatives for the Italian space industry to implement "NextGenerationEU" with the aim of enhancing the technological capabilities of the Italian industry for space access.
The first program, called STS and financed with €181.6 million until its completion, will be dedicated to the development, by 2026, of a flight demonstrator of new technologies and specific projects for a two-stage lightweight launcher with liquid oxygen and methane propulsion, with reduced environmental impact. The main developments are expected in the field of composite material cryogenic tanks, non-pyrotechnic separation systems, and integrated avionics systems based on aeronautical hardware and software extraction.The second program, called HTE and financed with €103.7 million until completion, will be dedicated to the development of a new liquid oxygen and methane engine with high-performance technology, reduced environmental impact, and high thrust, with its detailed design and the realization of increasingly complex demonstrators up to the ground qualification test by 2026.
Colleferro, 29 June 2023 – Yesterday a static firing test of the Zefiro 40 motor (second stage of the Vega C launcher) was performed according to schedule as one of the requirements linked to the return to flight of Vega C after the flight anomaly suffered on the last launch VV22 in December.Following the recommendation of the Independent Enquiry Commission on VV22, the test was performed to qualify the performance of the motor with a new carbon-carbon material for its nozzle throat. The conditions of the test were purposely set as extremely severe in terms of max motor operating pressure in order to demonstrate a large performance margin with a view to ensure maximum flight reliability.Preliminary analysis of test results (to be further investigated in the following days/weeks before reaching definitive conclusions) allowed to reach the following results. The new carbon-carbon material showed a nominal performance, closely linked to prediction. However, after 40 seconds into the test, another anomaly was revealed, leading to a reduction in overall pressure performance of the motor before the test completion planned at 97 seconds. This aspect will require further investigation and testing activity to be conducted by Avio and the European Space Agency to ensure optimal performance conditions.The Vega launcher is unaffected by the performance of Zefiro 40, which is specific to Vega C. Vega next launch remains planned for September. The planning for the return to flight of Vega C is currently under evaluation, pending further analysis and investigation as above mentioned. Avio remains anyway committed to leverage the Vega launcher while Vega C prepares to return to flight.Avio will communicate further details as soon as more detailed analysis is complete.
.@ESA has established an Independent Enquiry Commission to investigate the failure of the @Avio_Group-led Vega C Zefiro 40 static fire test conducted on 28 June 2023.
Giulio RanzoCEO at AVIO1 Tag BearbeitetVery excited to report full success of our #M10 #LOX-methane 1st engine test for DM2 : the new, improved , lighter and … fully throttable version of AVIO ‘s upper stage engine for #VegaE (we tested DM1 last year). We now have an intense summer full of tests and exploration of performances. Great congrats to the AVIO and European Space Agency - ESA teams for a unique team effort. This is the first upper stage LOXCH rocket engine in Europe with these performances.🚀🚀🚀
Aschbacher says the independent inquiry into the Vega-C technical problems will be completed by the end of Sept.
This chart appears to indicate that @Avio_Group will conduct additional Z40 testing will take place in 2024. So, that would mean a return to flight for Vega C would occur in mid to late 2024? And that's if they manage to successfully complete the test firing.
#AVIO has completed the first five firing tests of DM2 model of M10, the 100kn thrust liquid oxygen/methane engine that will power #VegaE. Optimal performance achieved in 45sec tests at max pressure and Ox rich mixture ratio. #spaceiscloser #space
#Avio is proud to announce that the new LOX-CH Engine #M10 DM2 successfully completed a 340 secs continuous firing test. The new #VegaE’s upper stage engine performed as expected also changing multiple times LOX-CH mixture ratio. Video's speed is 4X #space #spaceiscloser
An ESA Independent Inquiry Commission established to investigate the failure of the Vega C Zerfiro 40 static fire test will report its findings before the end of the week.
https://twitter.com/andrewparsonson/status/1707092709557608485QuoteAn ESA Independent Inquiry Commission established to investigate the failure of the Vega C Zerfiro 40 static fire test will report its findings before the end of the week.https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-to-publish-vega-c-test-z40-test-failure-findings-this-week/
ESA will hold a briefing Monday (1030 GMT) to discuss the results of the independent review of the Vega-C test anomaly in June, along with "an updated target schedule of the 2024 Vega-C launch manifest."
ESA announced this morning it's targeting a return to flight of the Vega-C in the fourth quarter of 2024 to accommodate work to improve the design of the Zefiro 40 nozzle, after damage in a test in June, and perform two firing tests to confirm those changes.
📺 Join us live for a media briefing on the findings of the Independent Enquiry Commission on the #VegaC test at 11:30 BST/12:30 CEST on #ESAWebTV.🔗 esawebtv.esa.int
