03/10/2024
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A redesigned Zefiro-40 strong rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega-C rocket, was efficiently fired up in the present day 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 Could 2024 and concludes the qualification checks for the improved engine nozzle design of the Zefiro-40.
Engineers are analysing the motor’s efficiency, with the preliminary post-test overview indicating that the brand new nozzle meeting and the motor carried out as anticipated.
Whereas the primary check in Could was carried out underneath excessive working strain and with a brief burning time, in the present day’s check was carried out at a low working strain and burnt for longer, as anticipated and in keeping with the check predictions. The 2 firings are normal process when making 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 strong propellant, and simply one among three solid-propulsion phases which are 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 commentary 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, guaranteeing that Europe has a flexible, impartial entry to area, complementing the Ariane household of rockets to launch any satellite tv for pc to any orbit.
Vega-C delivers elevated efficiency, better 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 area by supporting new mission potentialities and contains two new strong propulsion phases, an improved higher stage and new fairing, and new floor infrastructure.
ESA is liable for the Vega-C launch system qualification and likewise purchases launch companies for European institutional missions. The Vega-C growth 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 yr.
