ESA & Avio Successfully Test Redesigned Vega C Motor, Eye Year-End Return to Flight

The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a successful test firing of a redesigned solid rocket motor for its Vega C rocket, marking a significant step towards resuming launches by the end of the year.

Avio, the prime contractor for the Vega C, conducted the static-fire test of the revamped Zefiro-40 motor on May 28 at their test facility in Italy.

The Zefiro-40, which serves as the second stage of the Vega C, was ignited for a 94-second burn, meeting the expected duration. This motor was implicated in the failure of the second Vega C launch in December 2022.

An investigation attributed the failure to defective carbon-carbon material in the motor’s nozzle.

Although Avio initially sourced new material, a subsequent static-fire test in June 2023 resulted in nozzle failure, necessitating a comprehensive redesign.

“Initial post-test review indicates that the new nozzle assembly performed as expected throughout the scheduled 94 seconds burning time of the test, simulating a nominal in-flight performance.” - Avio

“The thrust curve that has been measured is nominal and follows the expected, theoretical line, meaning that the motor is functioning well,” - Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

A follow-up test firing is scheduled for October to further validate the motor's performance.

“The one today confirms that the redesign of the nozzle with the new carbon-carbon inserts is good.” - Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

ESA and Avio are committed to returning the Vega C to flight within the year, following the two-year hiatus since the 2022 failure. Meanwhile, a final launch of the original Vega, which does not utilize the Zefiro-40 motor, is set for early September. This mission will carry the Sentinel-2C Earth observation satellite for Europe’s Copernicus program.

The payload for Vega C’s return flight is anticipated to be the Sentinel-1C radar imaging satellite.

In addition to the Vega C updates, preparations are progressing for the maiden flight of the Ariane 6, slated for the first two weeks of July. Aschbacher mentioned that a precise launch date would be disclosed at the ILA Berlin air show in early June.

“There is nothing that is a showstopper. It’s still a lot of work, but nothing that worries me at this point in time that would make it impossible to launch within this two-week window.” - Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General

This series of developments underscores ESA's continued efforts to maintain and advance its space launch capabilities, ensuring reliable access to space for Europe.