VegaC, or Vega Consolidation, is a European expendable, small-lift launch vehicle developed and produced by Avio. It is an evolution of the original Vega launcher, designed to offer greater launch performance and flexibility.
Approved for development by the European Space Agency (ESA) in December 2014, VegaC was designed to accommodate larger institutional payloads and compete effectively in the commercial launch market.[1] Initially marketed and operated by Arianespace, the ESA decided in August 2024 to empower Avio to directly commercialize VegaC and seek non-governmental customers. This transition is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025.[2][3]
VegaC, like its predecessor, is designed to launch small satellites for scientific and Earth observation missions to polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits.[4] The reference VegaC mission places a 2,300-kilogram (5,100 lb) spacecraft into a 700-kilometre (430 mi) polar orbit, representing an 800-kilogram (1,800 lb) or 60% increase over the original Vega.
VegaC features several key advancements over the original Vega. The first stage is replaced by the more powerful P120C, which is also used as a booster on the Ariane 6 launcher, allowing development costs to be shared. The second stage is the upgraded Zefiro 40. While the AVUM+ upper stage remains largely unchanged, it carries a larger propellant load. The third stage, Zefiro 9, remains the same.[6]
Vega rockets are launched from the ELV launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre. The VegaC's maiden flight on 13 July 2022 successfully delivered LARES 2 and six other satellites to orbit.[7] However, the second launch on 21 December 2022 experienced a failure of the Zefiro 40 second stage, resulting in the loss of two Pléiades Neo Earth-imaging satellites.[8] Consequently, the next launch was delayed until late 2024 to allow for the rocket motor nozzle to be redesigned.[9]
Building the Vega is a European multi-national effort led by Avio of Italy, which manages Vega development and oversees production as the prime contractor, and also builds the Zefiro 40, Zefiro 9 and AVUM+ stages. Europropulsion, a 50-50 joint venture of Avio and ArianeGroup, builds the P120C first stage. Dutch Space of the Netherlands builds the interstage between the first and second stages. CIRA builds the interstage between the second and third stages. RUAG of Switzerland builds the payload fairing. SABCA of Belgium builds the thrust vector control systems.[10]
Payload capacity
Arianespace had indicated that the VegaC launcher is able to carry 2,300 kg (5,100 lb) to a circular polar orbit at an altitude of 700 km (430 mi).[11]
Because of its ability to carry heavier payloads, RUAG Space of Switzerland had to redesign the fairing of the VegaC.
The fairing is 3.3 m (11 ft) in diameter and over 9 m (30 ft) tall, which offers nearly double the payload volume of the original Vega, which had a fairing of 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) in diameter and over 7.8 m (26 ft) tall.[12]
Ascent timeline
This timeline of a typical VegaC ascent profile and associated sequence of events includes two AVUM+ boosts. However, the flight profile is optimized for each mission.
Building on VegaC, the VegaE (or Vega Evolution) is a further development of the Vega family with the Zefiro 9 and AVUM+ third and fourth stage replaced with a single upper stage powered by liquid oxygen and liquid methane. This design would enable multiple satellites to be launched into different orbits on a single launch. The engine for this new upper stage, the M10, was the result of a collaboration between Avio and Chemical Automatics Design Bureau (KBKhA).[13][6] Successful testing of the engine was conducted in 2022,[14] and the maiden flight of VegaE is anticipated in 2027.[15]
Avio also plans to develop a new methane-fueled first-stage engine with plans to introduce a partially reusable rocket to eventually replace the Vega.[16]
^Tariq Malik (13 February 2012). "Europe Launches New Vega Rocket on Maiden Voyage". Space.com. Retrieved 29 May 2014. The Italian-built Vega rocket is named after the second-brightest star in the northern hemisphere
This Template lists historical, current, and future space rockets that at least once attempted (but not necessarily succeeded in) an orbital launch or that are planned to attempt such a launch in the future
Symbol † indicates past or current rockets that attempted orbital launches but never succeeded (never did or has yet to perform a successful orbital launch)
