Vega C

VegaC, or Vega Consolidation, is a European expendable, medium-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. 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.

VegaC, like its predecessor, is designed to launch small satellites for scientific and Earth observation missions to polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits. 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.

Named after Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the rocket is a single-body launcher (no strap-on boosters) with three solid and one liquid stage. While Avio of Italy leads the Vega program, contributions come from companies in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine.

Vega C introduces several key advancements over the original Vega. The first stage has been replaced by the more powerful P120C, the "C" refers to its common design allowing it to be used as a booster for the Ariane 6 launcher, enabling shared development costs. The second stage features the upgraded Zefiro 40. While the AVUM+ (Attitude & Vernier Upper Module) fourth stage remains largely unchanged, the "+" reflects its increased propellant capacity. The third stage, Zefiro 9, remains the same.

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. 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. Consequently, the next launch was delayed until late 2024 to allow for the rocket motor nozzle to be redesigned.

Specifications

Stages

Main suppliers

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. Airbus Netherlands B.V. of the Netherlands builds the interstage between the first and second stages. The Italian Aerospace Research Centre builds the interstage between the second and third stages. Beyond Gravity of Switzerland builds the payload fairing and onboard GNC computer. SABCA of Belgium builds the thrust vector control systems.

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).

Because of its ability to carry heavier payloads, Beyond Gravity had to redesign the fairing of the VegaC. The new 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.

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.

Future

Vega C+

A mid-life upgrade, the VegaC+ will feature the enlarged P160C first stage, replacing the P120C. This version has been extended by 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) and adds an additional 14 tonnes (31,000 lb) of propellant, enabling the launch of an additional 200 kilograms (440 lb) of payload.

Other changes include a revised navigation system, a larger fairing, additional stabilization on the second- and third-stage motor nozzles, updated components, and efforts to ease production and flight-rate constraints.

The first flight of Vega C+ is not expected before 2028, when it is planned to launch ESA’s reusable Space Rider vehicle. The schedule reflects the fact that early production of the P160C motor is being prioritized for Ariane 6 missions that require the added performance.

Vega E

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 stages replaced with a single upper stage powered by liquid oxygen and liquid methane. The improvements are expected to improve payload capacity by 25% over VegaC. 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). Successful testing of the M10 engine was conducted in 2022, and the maiden flight of VegaE is anticipated in 2027. Launch Complex 3 at the Guiana Space Centre, initially built for the Ariane 5, is being refurbished to support VegaE launches.

Vega Next

For the Vega Next rocket, expected to be introduced after 2032, Avio plans to develop a new M60 engine, a larger version of the liquid oxygen and liquid methane fueled M10 engine. The M60 would be the building block for this launcher, and could potentially enable the development of a reusable first-stage.

List of launches

Launch history

Future launches

See also

• List of Vega launches
• Solid rocket
• Comparison of orbital launchers families
• Comparison of orbital launch systems

Notes

External links

• – Arianespace
• – Avio
• – European Space Agency