ESA
Endorses Reinstatement of Vega Development
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More
Information: |
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The European Space
Agency's (ESA) council has endorsed a plan to reinstate the Italian
US$53.5 million (Euro63 million) contribution in several major
programs, such as the development of improved versions of Ariane 5,
the funding of maintenance and upgrade work at the Guiana Space
Center in Kourou, The Ariane 5 Technology Accompaniment (ARTA-5)
program or the Future Launcher Technology Program. In exchange,
Italy will be able to proceed with the development of the Vega small
launch vehicle on behalf of ESA with minor contributions from other
countries.
Total cost of the
program will be US$280 million (Euro330 million), about three
quarters of which would be funded by Italy. Actual contributions by
other member countries will be confirmed before November 10 (see
table). Other sources have reported various price tags for the
demonstration program: either US$109 million (Euro128 million) or up
to US$130 million (Euro152.5 million) with Italy providing 52% (or
55%) and France 35%. A US$314.5 million (Euro370 million) budget has
also been reported for Vega, which includes the construction of a
dedicated launch pad in Kourou.
Vega, to be
available in 2004, will use the proposed P80 solid rocket motor for
its first stage. This advanced 80 tonne motor, which will feature a
composite casing, will be developed separately, under a US$187
million (Euro220 million) program for which Italy will provide 66%
of the funding.
 Italy's
role in the Ariane 5 Plus program (mainly the development by
FiatAvio of the liquid oxygen turbopump and powerpack for the new
Vinci cryogenic engine) has been on hold since May 1999 after France
refused to fund a significant share of the Vega program because of
its lack of market.
|
Country
|
Share
|
US$
|
Euro
|
|
Italy
|
70
– 80%
|
196 -
225 million
|
231 – 264
million
|
|
Belgium
|
5
– 8 %
|
14 -
22.5 million
|
16.5 – 26.5
million
|
|
France
|
1.5
%
|
4.25
million
|
5 million
|
|
Netherlands
|
3
– 5 %
|
8.5 -
14 million
|
10 – 16.5
million
|
|
Spain
|
5
– 8 %
|
14
- 22.5 million
|
16.5 – 26.5
million
|
|
Sweden
|
1
%
|
2.9
million
|
3.5 million
|
|
Switzerland
|
2
%
|
5.5
million
|
6.5 million
|
|
Total
|
87.5
% - 105.5 %
|
246
- 296 million
|
289
– 348 million
|
1 Euro = US$ 0.85
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