A redesigned Zefiro-40 stable rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega-C rocket, was efficiently fired up right now for the second time by prime contractor Avio at its Salto di Quirra check facility in Sardinia, Italy. This second firing follows from a primary firing check  of the motor in Might 2024 and concludes the qualification exams for the improved engine nozzle design of the Zefiro-40.

Engineers are analysing the motor’s efficiency, with the preliminary post-test evaluate indicating that the brand new nozzle meeting and the motor carried out as anticipated.

Whereas the primary check in Might was carried out below excessive working stress and with a brief burning time, right now’s check was carried out at a low working stress and burnt for longer, as anticipated and in accordance with the check predictions.  The 2 firings are commonplace process when getting ready solid-fuel rocket motors for operations, permitting Vega-C to be launched by the tip of 2024.

Zefiro-40 is a 7.6 m tall rocket motor, loaded with over 36 tonnes of stable propellant, and simply considered one of three solid-propulsion levels which can be utilized by Vega-C. For this check the motor was put in on its horizontal check bench. Zefiro-40 is developed and manufactured by Avio of their Colleferro manufacturing facility close to Rome, Italy.

Farewell Vega, welcome Vega-C

Vega-C is the bigger evolution of the versatile Vega household of rockets specialising in taking Earth remark satellites to orbit. The unique Vega was launched in 2012 and flew 22 occasions over 12 years, its final flight was on 4 September launching the third Sentinel 2 satellite tv for pc into orbit completely.

Vega-C is about to take over from Vega’s legacy, making certain that Europe has a flexible, unbiased entry to house, complementing the Ariane household of rockets to launch any satellite tv for pc to any orbit.

Vega-C delivers elevated efficiency, higher payload quantity and improved competitiveness. Working from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, from the identical launch pad as Vega, the rocket extends Europe’s autonomy in house by supporting new mission potentialities and consists of two new stable propulsion levels, an improved higher stage and new fairing, and new floor infrastructure.

ESA is chargeable for the Vega-C launch system qualification and likewise purchases launch companies for European institutional missions. The Vega-C improvement programme was carried out with participation of 13 ESA Member States, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The Company is the contracting authority for the event of Vega-C, helps each the event and exploitation, whereas additionally offering technical supervision based mostly on its 30 years of expertise.

Avio is the prime contractor and design authority of the Vega-C launchers. Arianespace is the launch service supplier for the subsequent launch of Vega C deliberate earlier than the tip of the 12 months.