The European Space Agency (ESA) is getting closer to returning its Vega-C rocket to flight following a successful test by the prime contractor, Avio, at its Italian test facility.

[1]

Zefiro-40 horizontal rocket test – Image (c) Avio

The Vega-C was grounded following a mishap in December 2022. In 2023, ESA [2]announced the cause : a gradual deterioration in the nozzle of the Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor used for the second stage of the Vega-C.

The failure, coupled with the retirement of the Ariane 5, has meant ESA [3]has had to use other vendors , such as SpaceX, to launch its spacecraft in the absence of a domestic capability.

One last flight of an earlier iteration of the Vega, which doesn't use the Zefiro-40 rocket, remains. In December it was announced that a pair of fuel tanks for the rocket [4]had been misplaced , but managers are now confident of a launch in late summer.

Things aren't so simple for the Vega-C. The team redesigned the nozzle following the loss of the vehicle, but [5]problems cropped up in testing towards the end of 2023, pushing a return-to-flight date deep into 2024.

[6]

According to Avio, the [7]good news for managers is that an improved nozzle design performed as expected during a 94-second test that simulated "a nominal in-flight performance."

[8]Rocket Lab is a David among Goliaths in the space race

[9]Last Vega rocket launch delayed over fuel tank vanishing act

[10]European Space Agency grits teeth, preps contracts for SpaceX Galileo launch

[11]ESA goes back to the future with a space freighter... yes again

Another test is planned for October, and if all goes well, the Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor will be qualified and ready for a return to flight at the end of 2024.

The Vega-C is intended to replace the Vega, so a return to flight at the end of 2024 would be convenient timing. The launcher can place approximately 2,300 kg into a polar orbit and will plug the capability gap left by the loss of Russian launchers following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[12]

The Zefiro-40 itself is a 7.6 meter tall rocket motor loaded with more than 36 tons of solid propellant.

While the Vega-C inches closer to returning to flight, Europe's heavy-lift launcher, the Ariane 6, is finally set to make its maiden flight in July 2024. ®

Get our [13]Tech Resources



[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2024/05/30/zefiro-40-test.jpg

[2] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/06/nozzle_material_determined_cause_of/

[3] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/08/esa_grits_teeth_readies_contracts/

[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/15/vega_missing_fuel_tanks/

[5] https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/03/vega_c_return_delay/

[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Zlj3AIglpxlobQGzgPRMvQAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[7] https://www.avio.com/press-release/successful-engine-test-boost-vega-c-towards-return-flight

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/05/rocket_lab_peter_beck_interview/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/15/vega_missing_fuel_tanks/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/08/esa_grits_teeth_readies_contracts/

[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/07/esa_goes_back_to_the/

[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Zlj3AIglpxlobQGzgPRMvQAAAMg&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/