ESA Proceeds With Vega Launch Vehicle

The European Space Agency (ESA) member countries voted on December 15 to proceed with full development of the Vega launch vehicle and an associated solid-propellant propulsion system that could be used to increase payload performance on the Ariane 5 rocket. Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland have decided to proceed with full development of the Vega and may later be joined by Spain. ESA approved spending US$301.5 million (Î 335 million) on the program. P-80, a related program, will develop the advanced technologies that will be used for both the Vega first stage and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 5. The P-80 program was financed at US$109.9 million (Î 123 million).

Italy is the primary backer of the Vega, and is financing 65 percent of the program. Italy is also providing about 45 percent of the cost of the P-80 program. FiatAvio SpA, Turin, Italy, will be asked to contribute an additional 10 percent of Vega's financing. France, has declined to participate in Vega because of concerns about its commercial viability, but will contribute about 35 percent of the financing for the P-80.

ESA, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and the French space agency (CNES), will administer the development and testing of the Vega launch system. They are targeting to keep the launch price of Vega at least 15 percent below those in the United States. A target price of US$20 million has been set for a 1000 kg (2,200 lbm) payload. Arianespace will market and operate the Vega launch system. Fiat Avio and Aerospatiale will be the two principal contractors for the launch vehicle.

The Vega is planned to have a mass-to-orbit of 1500 kg (3306 lbm) to a sun-synchronous orbit of 700 km (378 nmi), or a mass-to-orbit of 680 kg (1500 lbm) to an altitude of 1600 km (1000 miles). The Vega is planned to be launched from the Guiana Space Center at Kourou, French Guiana, likely from pad ELA 1. The first launch of Vega is targeted for late 2005. Plans call for three to four launches during the first few years of operation, increasing to around six launches per year when the final phase of operations begin.

The Vega launch system will consist of three solid propellant stages and a liquid fuel attitude control system, with most of the technology previously used on Ariane 4 or Ariane 5 launch vehicles.

The first stage uses a solid rocket motor based upon an Ariane 5 solid-fueled booster, with only a few changes taking place, such as a new gimballing nozzle. The first stage has yet to be tested with all new additions in place.

The second stage has been in development since the Vega launch system was first proposed in 1998. The Italian Space Agency funded the initial development of the Zefiro motor. The 16-ton stage will have a length of almost 4.6 m (15 ft) and a diameter of almost 1.8 m (6 ft).

Fiat Avio has conducted three static test firings of the Zefiro motor, the most recent test being on December 15. If no problems occur, two more firings of the Zefiro are planned to fully qualify the motor for use on Vega.

Final configuration of the third stage may still be in development, but it is thought the stage will weigh around 7 tons and have the same diameter as the second stage.

The Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM) will use conventional steering jets and storable propellants to provide attitude control and minor orbital parameter changes during the final minutes of launch. The AVUM will be positioned above the third stage of and below the payload section of the launch vehicle.

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