ESA - Vega Updates (Vega, Vega C/C+, Vega E, Vega Next : 2005 and forward)

[simonth]

Delays Continue To Affect Vega, European Soyuz Programs

http://www.spacenews.com/launch/100430-delays-vega-european-soyuz.html

Hmmm, Vega in early 2011 instead end of 2010 was kind of expected, but that the second Soyuz launch is delayed well into 2011 is odd. They really seem to have a bunch of problems with Soyuz from Kourou. I believe they are questioning the logic of flying Soyuz from French Guyana for quite some time already.

[bolun]

French Export Restrictions Snare Vega Flight Software

French government technology-transfer restrictions have forced managers of Europe’s Vega rocket program to embark on an 11th-hour effort to develop new Vega flight-control software in Italy to replace the planned French system, according to European government and industry officials.

http://www.spacenews.com/civil/100611-french-export-restrictions-snare-vega.html

[LEGO Space]

Successful qualification firing test for Zefiro 23
 
31 March 2008
On 27 March 2008, the second stage motor for Vega - Europe's new small launcher - successfully completed a static firing test at the Salto Di Quirra Inter-force Test Range in Sardinia, Italy.

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMSEBR03EF_index_0.html

I didn't know the Salto di Quirra missile range was still in use, since the Alfa SLBM project was abandoned after italy was pressured to sign the NPT.

[mmeijeri]

French Export Restrictions Snare Vega Flight Software

I wonder if the reason behind this is that Vega is a natural precursor to the BBPPH (~ three segment Ariane 5 SRB + Vega single segment first stage SRB + Ariane 5 cryogenic upper stage) successor to Ariane 5, whereas France prefers a Delta IV-like successor based on the Ariane cryogenic core plus cryogenic upper stage.

[bolun]

Vega updates, according to ESA bulletin number 143 (August 2010)

Page 57

First launch early 2011

Page 71

The main achievements are the successful Zefiro 9A Verta 2 firing test on 25 May, completion of the Payload Adaptor qualification review, delivery of Vega Electrical Simulator to Kourou and finalisation of the P80 SRM qualification review.

The first part of the Launch System Ground qualification review started in March and will be completed as planned in July.

Qualification of the Roll Attitude Control System thrusters is ongoing, with additional tests to consolidate the test database, to be completed in July. All other Vega subsystems have been qualified or have finished qualification testing.

The qualification tests at system level of the avionics and software are continuing. For the ground segment, the Mobile Gantry installation is complete and the first integrated tests will be complete by mid-July.

Tests at Kourou, for qualification of the launcher/ground interfaces, will start in June, combined with the electrical and software test campaigns.

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESA-Bulletin-143/pageflip.html

[osiossim]

Vega launcher production contracts signed by ESA, Arianespace and ELV


http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMQQ0HONDG_1.html

[jacqmans]

Arianespace signs Vega production contracts with ESA and ELV
Evry, September 8, 2010

Arianespace and the European Space Agency signed yesterday in Paris the production contract for the first operational Vega launch.

At the same time, Arianespace and Vega prime contractor ELV signed the VERTA framework contract, covering the five Vega launchers to be delivered after the qualification flight.

The framework contract provides for ELV to deliver five Vega launchers to Arianespace. Vega is a small launch vehicle with three solid-propulsion stages, and a fourth stage with a reignitable liquid rocket engine.

Arianespace will start operation of the new Vega launch system in 2011, alongside the Ariane 5 heavy launcher and the Soyuz medium launcher. These three vehicles comprise the European launcher family operated by Arianespace at the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Used primarily to orbit scientific and Earth observation satellites, Vega offers payload capacity of 1,500 kg into polar orbit at 700 km altitude.

The Vega launcher was purpose-designed to meet Arianespace customers’ requirements, and is perfectly suited to the launch of small satellites into low Earth orbit or Sun-synchronous orbit. Vega aims to quickly establish itself as the best launcher in its class.

ELV, based in Colleferro, Italy, is the industrial prime contractor for the Vega program, and is owned 70% by Avio and 30% by the Italian space agency ASI. Vega is a European Space Agency program, jointly financed by Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. 

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2010/09-08-2010-verta-contract.asp

[Space Pete]

Vega, the light launcher.
The new Vega launch system offers payload capacity of 1,500 kg to an orbit of about 700 km, and will primarily be used for scientific and Earth observation satellites. Purpose-designed to meet demand from Arianespace’s customers, and ideally suited for the launch of small satellites into low or Sun-synchronous orbits, Vega aims to quickly establish itself as the best launcher in its class.

Arianespace signed the Verta framework contract in September, covering the five Vega launches after the qualification flight. The Vega launch pad will be handed over by the end of the year, and the first launch is slated for 2011.

www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2010/10-11-2010-launch-system-manufacturers-meeting.asp

[jacqmans]

Vega’s P80 first stage is rolled out to the Spaceport’s Vega launch facility

November 5, 2010

A representative P80 first stage for Vega is now on the launch pad in French Guiana, marking a milestone in preparations for next year’s introduction of this lightweight vehicle, which will be operated by Arianespace in commercial missions.

The P80 first stage was rolled out to the Spaceport’s Vega launch zone on October 26 as the initial step in combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure.  This full-scale stage is complete with instrumentation, and has been filled with a simulated load of solid propellant.

“The rollout involved the P80’s transfer from its Booster Integration Building to the Spaceport’s Vega launch zone, demonstrating the procedures that will be used with actual launcher hardware,” explained Claude-Henri Berna, the Arianespace Vega program director in French Guiana.  “It was carried out under management of the European Space Agency and performed by the French CNES space agency, while also bringing together the launcher’s industrial contractors, along with Arianespace as the future operator.”

A special wheeled vehicle was used for transporting the Vega first stage, which is installed on a pallet similar to those used with Ariane 5’s solid propellant boosters, although smaller in size.  Once positioned at the Vega launch complex, the pallet/booster combination was transferred from its low-slung transporter vehicle onto the launch pad via a short set of parallel rails.

The P80 stage was developed by Italy’s Avio for Vega program prime contractor ELV, and is one of the largest, most powerful one-piece solid-propellant boosters ever built.  It utilizes a novel filament-wound case, and will burn 88 metric tons of propellant during a powered flight lasting 109 seconds. 

The current combined testing phase of Vega and its ground infrastructure at the Spaceport will continue, culminating with the assembly of all four stages on the launch pad, along with the integration of a simulated satellite payload and its protective fairing.  This activity will continue through the end of March 2011, and is to be followed by a qualification campaign with actual flight hardware.  The completion of these steps will clear the way for Vega’s inaugural launch, which is targeted for mid-2011.

Vega’s launch site is built on the former launch pad for Ariane 1, which was the initial member of the European-developed Ariane launcher family.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-soyuz-vega/2010/2010_11_05_vega-update.asp

[bolun]

Vega test campaign starts at Europe’s Spaceport
 
16 November 2010

A mock-up of Europe’s Vega launcher first stage was transferred on 26 October from the Booster Integration Building to the Vega Launch Zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
 
This marks the first step towards the operational readiness of the Vega launch system and paves the way for next year’s qualification flight.

 http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMMHY46JGG_0.html

[jacqmans]

The Vega launcher’s four stages are stacked for validation at the Spaceport

February 8, 2011

http://www.arianespace.com/news-soyuz-vega/2011/2011_2_4_vega_update.asp

The assembly of a representative Vega launcher is nearly complete at the Spaceport as part of validations for the mechanical, electrical and fluid elements of this newest member in Arianespace’s launch vehicle family at its launch site in French Guiana.

After stacking the inert first, second and third solid propellant stages on the Vega launch pad, team members now have added the bi-propellant liquid upper stage, called the AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Upper Module).  The next step will be installation of the payload fairing with a satellite mockup and payload adapter, followed by a loading exercise with the AVUM’s propellant.

The photo report, below, provide highlights of the Vega’s build-up process to date, which is underway inside the mobile gantry at the ZLV launch facility

This view of Vega’s ZLV launch site shows the vehicle’s P80 first stage, Zefiro 23 second stage and Zefiro 9 third stage in their stacked configuration on the launch pad. All three stages are filled with an inert material that realistically simulates the solid propellant load for flight-worthy launchers in terms of volume and mass.
 

The Zefiro 9 third stage is highlighted in a close-up photo, installed atop the Zefiro 23 second stage inside the Spaceport’s Vega mobile gantry. With a propellant mass of nine metric tons, the Zefiro 9 shares the same novel filament winding technology used by Italy’s Avio for the external cases in all three of Vega’s solid propellant stages. During a Vega mission, the Zefiro 9 will have a 116-sec. combustion time.
 

 A conic-shaped skirt is used to connect Vega’s three-meter-diameter P80 first stage with the launcher’s 1.9-meter-diameter Zefiro 23 second stage. The P80 is the largest monolithic engine ever built using filament winding for a solid propellant stage, and is designed to carry an 88-metric ton propellant load for a combustion time of 106 seconds. Vega’s Zefiro 23 stage carries 24 tons of propellant, and will have a 72-second combustion time during flight.
 

Vega’s Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM) is lowered onto the stacked launcher inside the mobile gantry. This stage operates on N2O4/UDMH propellant, which is loaded through the launch pad's fixed umbilical mast. In addition to its role of inserting the Vega launcher’s payload into orbit, the AVUM provides roll and attitude control during flight using a hydrazine propellant control system. The AVUM also carries main components of the launcher’s avionics.
 

[Stephan]

http://www.arianespace.com/news-soyuz-vega/2011/2011_2_9_vega_update.asp

The first Vega payload fairing comes together at the Spaceport

February 9, 2011

Encapsulation of the first Vega payload fairing is now complete at the Spaceport, readying it for integration on a representative version of the new lightweight launcher, which has been assembled on the launch pad in French Guiana.

During activity in the Spaceport’s S3B payload processing facility, the fairing was assembled with a spacecraft model mounted on the cone-shaped adapter that serves as the interface with Vega.

Produced by RUAG Space in Switzerland, the fairing is composed of two lightweight half shells that protect Vega’s payload during its initial ascent, and which are jettisoned once the launcher leaves the dense layers of the atmosphere.  The assembled fairing weighs approximately 470 kg., with a diameter of 2.6 meters and a height of 7.18 meters – providing an internal payload volume of 20 square meters.

For this initial payload encapsulation exercise, a spacecraft model from EADS CASA Espacio is being used to represent a typical Vega payload in terms of size and mass.

The completed fairing will be transported to Vega’s ZLV launch facility at the Spaceport for installation atop the representative launcher that has been stacked inside the mobile gantry.  This vehicle consists of the inert first, second and third solid propellant stages, as well as the bi-propellant liquid upper stage.

The Vega payload fairing’s encapsulation process is shown in this photo series. At left, the satellite model has been positioned in one of the two payload fairing’s half shells, while the other half-shell is readied for the encapsulation. A close up image (second from left) details the satellite model installed on its cone-shaped adapter. In the two photos at right, the fairing’s half shells are brought together to complete the encapsulation.

[bolun]

Build-up of the first Vega launcher is complete at the Spaceport

February 15, 2011

The first Vega has been assembled at the Spaceport, marking a key milestone in preparations for the introduction of this lightweight vehicle in Arianespace’s launcher family.

Build-up of the Vega was competed with the installation of its payload fairing, which topped off the vehicle inside the mobile gantry at the Spaceport’s ZLV launch facility. 

This is a representative launcher that is being used for combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure.  It consists of inert first, second and third stages, the bi-propellant Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM), and the flight-worthy payload fairing that ultimately will be used for a future Vega mission.

The completed Vega stands approximately 30 meters tall, and is located on the launch table of the refurbished Spaceport facility that previously was used for the first member of Europe’s successful Ariane family: the cornerstone Ariane 1 vehicle.

Vega is tailored to carry the growing number of small scientific spacecraft and other lighter-weight payloads under development or planned worldwide.  Its target payload lift capability is 1,500 kg. on missions to a 700-km. circular orbit.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-soyuz-vega/2011/2011_2_15_vega_update.asp

[bolun]

Europe’s new, small launcher takes shape
 
18 February 2011

A full-scale mock-up of the new Vega launcher has been assembled on the vehicle’s launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as part of the combined test campaign before the maiden flight later this year.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMJT6PT1KG_0.html

[bolun]

Vega completes mechanical system tests
 
21 April 2011

Europe’s new Vega small launcher has taken the next step towards its maiden flight later this year with completion of mechanical testing of a full-scale mock-up at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Launch system tests continue
 
The mechanical and electrical interfaces between the vehicle and the ground segment are now being tested.

In the coming months, the Flight Readiness Review will give the final green light for the maiden qualification flight, in the second half of 2011.

This flight will be followed by five missions to demonstrate the system's flexibility.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMIV1ASJMG_0.html

[bolun]

Vega completes system tests on launch pad

ESA’s new Vega small launcher has taken the next step towards its maiden flight later this year with completion of mechanical testing of a full-scale mock-up at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in April.

One particular test showed that the vehicle and the pad structure can withstand high winds during the hours before launch.

Other important work included ventilation and thermal testing, inertial platform alignment and performance testing, and umbilical tests. During thermal testing, the temperature of the vehicle, in particular the fairing and avionics, was monitored.

These tests were performed during daytime and night time to cover both launch situations.

A dry-run of the final countdown tested launch operations and the rollout of the mobile gantry.

In the coming months, the Flight Readiness Review will give the final green light for the maiden qualification flight, in the second half of 2011.

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMVRKJSDNG_mg_1.html

[antonioe]

Since there is considerable interest in the development of the Vega launcher, I decided to try a small experiment in scientific extrapolation.
...
...

Having some personal experience in developing small solid-motor launch vehicles, my bet is not earlier than October 2010, but - unless the program is canceled - no later than March 2011.

Any takers?

Fortunately  there were none.  I hope I'm better at designing LV's than predicting other people's first flight dates.  I hope they can make it in 2011.

Forza Vega!  In bocca al lupo!

[bolun]

http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESA-Bulletin-147/pageflip.html

From ESA Bulletin Number 147 (August 2011)

The launch vehicle Flight Programme Software CDR is complete. The Roll Attitude Control Subsystem main tests to qualify the subsystem for the maiden flight are complete, in particular the first subsystem firing tests and the thermal tests allowing start of the qualification review.

On the Vega Launch System, the mechanical system tests were performed with a full scale model integrated on the launch pad, including rehearsal of off-nominal operations and launch vehicle unmounting. The objective of these tests was to validate the mechanical and electrical interfaces between the vehicle and the ground segment.

The P80 Solid Rocket Motor flight unit is complete, with the exception of the igniter, which will be integrated just before transfer to the Vega launch pad, in line with safety and storage constraints. The final acceptance loop of the various subsystems of the ground segment is close to completion with the preparation of the relevant End Item Data Package.

[anik]

http://www.spacenews.com/civil/110921-vega-debut-pushed-january.html

"Maria Flamina Rossi, head of future-launcher planning at the 19-nation European Space Agency (ESA), said Vega is now on track for a January launch"

[bolun]

The launch of Vega is drawing near

 2011/09/28
 
The European satellite launcher built in Italy has left Avio’s industrial plant for the European Space Centre in French Guyana

Rivalta di Torino (TO), 28 September 2011 – The transport operations began for the Vega satellite launcher. The stages of the launch vehicle were transferred from Avio’s Colleferro industrial plant (Rome) to the port of Livorno to be taken on board a ship specially fitted out by Arianespace. In the next few weeks, the launcher will reach the European Space Centre in Kourou, where the launch campaign will begin prior to the maiden flight foreseen between December 2011 and January 2012.

http://www.aviogroup.com/en/media_room/press_release/2011/the_launch_of_vega_is_drawing_near