<snip>Vega-C’s inaugural flight is scheduled for mid-2020, carrying the Italian Space Agency’s LARES 2 satellite, a large retroreflector for the study of general relativity related to Earth’s gravitational field.
According to someone working at the CSG, Vega C will not liftoff until the end of September 2020. There should be an ignition of the P120 first stage in the coming months.This date will depend on whether or not flight VV-16 is successful.
At Avio, the Vega-C launches seem to be as VC-xx designated. But maybe Arianespace does it differently.http://avio-data.teleborsa.it/2020%2fAVIO-FY-2019-Results_Def_20200326_094744.pdfpage 21Quote•Vega production materials secured for 2020:–materials available for VV17, VV18, VV19–Propellant casting for VV19 may be subject to some restrictions–Vega C maiden flight ok, VC02 materials available , few exceptions
•Vega production materials secured for 2020:–materials available for VV17, VV18, VV19–Propellant casting for VV19 may be subject to some restrictions–Vega C maiden flight ok, VC02 materials available , few exceptions
I've listed the names of the payloads with the missions:- VV-18: LARES-2? First Vega C? (October 21)I don't know what Vega C's flight designation for Arianespace will be. If we stay logical, it would still be "Vol Vega - VV" (Vega Flight), but maybe they'll change.
Most likely there are launch vehicle numbers and launch mission numbers.All Ariane launchers had a VA-xxx mission number. Ariane5 launchers have a VA-5xx(x) vehicle number.I think Arianespace will use VV-xx mission numbers for all Vega launches. Avio uses vehicle numbers: VV for Vega, VC for Vega C. Most likely VE for Vega E. I wonder what they plan to use for Vega Light (C or E).I'm happy the maiden Vega C launch is still planned for 2020.
Most likely there are launch vehicle numbers and launch mission numbers.All Ariane launchers had a VA-xxx mission number. Ariane5 launchers have a VA-5xx(x) vehicle number.I think Arianespace will use VV-xx mission numbers for all Vega launches. Avio uses vehicle numbers: VV for Vega, VC for Vega C
I've listed the names of the payloads with the missions:- VV-19: LARES-2, first Vega C (December 23)
Vega C first flight will be VV-19, and will take off on December 13, 2020.
•Upcoming flight activity•VV16 SSMS mid June•VV17 August•VV18 by year end•Vega C launch campaign to start by year end•Ariane 5 VA253 end of July...•Development•Vega C ground qualification review 3 rd quarter•P120 QM2 test ( third and last static firing test for Ariane 6) by year end
https://tass.ru/kosmos/8622869Google translate:QuoteMOSCOW, June 2. / TASS /. The launch of the new European Vega C rocket is scheduled for 2020, the date will be determined after the resumption of launch activity at the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. This was reported by TASS head of the representative office of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Russia Rene Pischel."The first launch of the Vega C rocket is planned for 2020, the general launch schedule will be approved after the launch activity at the Kourou spaceport resumes this summer with the launch of the Vega rocket," Pishel said.According to the head of the ESA representative office, the first Vega C will put into orbit the Italian geodetic satellite LARES 2 (Laser Relativity Satellite), designed to study the general theory of relativity and space geodesy.
MOSCOW, June 2. / TASS /. The launch of the new European Vega C rocket is scheduled for 2020, the date will be determined after the resumption of launch activity at the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. This was reported by TASS head of the representative office of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Russia Rene Pischel."The first launch of the Vega C rocket is planned for 2020, the general launch schedule will be approved after the launch activity at the Kourou spaceport resumes this summer with the launch of the Vega rocket," Pishel said.According to the head of the ESA representative office, the first Vega C will put into orbit the Italian geodetic satellite LARES 2 (Laser Relativity Satellite), designed to study the general theory of relativity and space geodesy.
Vega Flight VV16 – the SSMS Proof of Concept mission: Postponed until August 17, 2020July 1, 2020Despite this delay, Arianespace is maintaining the target of performing three Vega launches during 2020.
Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021December 2020 January - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3December 23, 2020 Early - LARES 2 - Vega C (inaugural flight) (VV19) - Kourou ZLVDecember 15, 2020 Early - Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS26) - Kourou ELSLate 2020 December 23, 2020 Early Q1 - Pleiades Neo 1, Pleiades Neo 2, nanosats - Vega С (VV19) (VV20) - Kourou ZLVChanges on May 12thChanges on May 15thChanges on July 1stChanges on August 31st
https://spacenews.com/vega-c-debut-slips-to-mid-2021/ dated September 14QuoteRanzo said Avio now expects just one more Vega launch this year, in November. Next year Avio plans three Vega launches, plus a “mid-2021” debut of Vega C, he said.
Ranzo said Avio now expects just one more Vega launch this year, in November. Next year Avio plans three Vega launches, plus a “mid-2021” debut of Vega C, he said.
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, said the company is prioritizing customers of the current Vega rocket that have been waiting since last year for that vehicle to resume operation. “We had a slowdown which moved everything on the right,” Ranzo said during a Sept. 14 earnings call.<snip>Ranzo said Avio had to suspend some Vega C development activities in order to prioritize customer missions. Avio’s supply chain also slowed down due to the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of launches while Vega was grounded, he said.
Arianespace offers new shared smallsat payload opportunities on its Vega launcher; the next mission already is fully booked, dated October 13[see attached .png file]
Planned launches:Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)2021January - CERES 1, ELO, Lemur-2y (xTBD), Myriota 1, Myriota 2, Myriota 3, NORSAT 3, NanoAvionics sat + multiple sats - Vega (VV18) - Kourou ZLV (or Q1)Early - Galileo-FOC FM23, Galileo-FOC FM24 - Soyuz ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS26?) - Kourou ELSJanuary February - Star One D2, Eutelsat Quantum - Ariane 5 ECA (VA254) - Kourou ELA-3Q2 - CERES 1, CERES 2, CERES 3 + multiple sats - Vega (VV19) - Kourou ZLVMidyear - LARES 2 - Vega C (inaugural flight) (VV19) - Kourou ZLVQ4 - SSMS flight 2 - Vega C - Kourou ZLVChanges on September 21stChanges on October 12thChanges on October 13thzubenelgenubi
ESA lays out roadmap to Vega-C and Ariane 6 flights, dated October 29Vega CVega-C is a more powerful and versatile version of the Vega launch vehicle currently operating at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Vega-C’s maiden flight is planned for June 2021.Vega was on track for its return to flight, after the July 2019 failure, with its mission (VV16) in March 2020, but Europe’s Spaceport had to be closed due to COVID-19 safety measures. The VV16 launch campaign resumed in May but several further launch attempts were halted due to unfavourable weather. Vega’s return to flight, with the new SSMS dispenser carrying 53 satellites, was successfully launched on 2 September.Between February and September no activities for the preparation of Vega-C were possible in the Vega mobile gantry while it housed the P80 solid rocket motor in readiness for flight VV16, due to safety constraints.The qualification at system and subsystems level is currently under finalisation.As from October, all the new solid motors for Vega-C have completed qualification testing. The Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for Vega-C completed qualification tests in 2019. The final test of the P120C took place successfully on 7 October.Two Vega flights, VV17 and VV18, are planned before Vega-C. Activities for the modification of the mobile gantry for Vega-C, such as modifications of the fluids networks as well as connection and installation of the new control bench for Vega-C, will have to start after VV18 now planned early February.Vega-C maiden flight is planned for June 2021.Vega-C is a project managed and funded by the European Space Agency. Avio is the industrial prime contractor. Arianespace commercialises Vega-C.
I got some information about the flights for this year:VV19 - late June or early July, likely Vega C first flight
QuoteVega-C rocket delayed to early 2022 as current Vega customers, especially one, are given priorityPosted by Peter B. de Selding | Mar 19, 2021 | Limited, Satellite OperatorsPARIS — Europe’s Vega-C rocket’s inaugural flight has slipped to early 2022 to increase the likelihood that high-profile customers awaiting launch on the current Vega are delivered to orbit this year.First among equals in this customer lineup is the French Defense Ministry, whose three Ceres signals-intelligence satellites are scheduled for launch on a Vega late this year. The satellites will fly in formation in low Earth orbit.https://www.spaceintelreport.com/vega-c-rocket-delayed-to-early-2022-as-current-vega-customers-especially-one-are-given-priority/The Vega-C lost the fight. The Vega customers Airbus and DGA have prevailed.So most likely 2021 Vega VV18 Pleiades NEO 1, Vega VV19 Pleiades NEO 2, Vega VV20 CERES and then 2022 the Vega-C.
Vega-C rocket delayed to early 2022 as current Vega customers, especially one, are given priorityPosted by Peter B. de Selding | Mar 19, 2021 | Limited, Satellite OperatorsPARIS — Europe’s Vega-C rocket’s inaugural flight has slipped to early 2022 to increase the likelihood that high-profile customers awaiting launch on the current Vega are delivered to orbit this year.First among equals in this customer lineup is the French Defense Ministry, whose three Ceres signals-intelligence satellites are scheduled for launch on a Vega late this year. The satellites will fly in formation in low Earth orbit.
The same from Avio, no Vega-C in 2021.p. 24http://avio-data.teleborsa.it/2021%2f2020-FY-Results-v_DEF_20210319_060013.pdf
Next steps for a busy2021•Upcoming flight activity •VV19 3rdquarter 2021 •VV20 4thquarter 2021 •Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C •Vega C -launch campaign to start 4thquarter 2021
Incomprehensible: Why was the "•Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C" not carried out in the breaks after Vega VV15 or VV17?
Quote from: GWR64 on 05/12/2021 09:44 amIncomprehensible: Why was the "•Adaptation of ground systems for Vega C" not carried out in the breaks after Vega VV15 or VV17?Perhaps they need to wait until after VV20. Is that the last flight of the standard Vega?
