Updates Vega updates

[IronRain]

I noticed that there wasn't a thread about the first Vega launch. So here it is :thumbup:

For the people who don't know what Vega is: Vega is the new light weight launcher from ESA.

Vega's P80 first stage has left the spaceport's Booster Integration Building and has been placed on the launch pad. This is the first milestone for next years introduction of the Vega launcher. The first stage will test the ground-based infrastructure. It is also filled with a simulated load of solid propellant.

“The rollout involved the P80’s transfer from its Booster Integration Building to the Spaceport’s Vega launch zone, demonstrating the procedures that will be used with actual launcher hardware,” explained Claude-Henri Berna, the Arianespace Vega program director in French Guiana. “It was carried out under management of the European Space Agency and performed by the French CNES space agency, while also bringing together the launcher’s industrial contractors, along with Arianespace as the future operator.”

A special vehicle was used to transport the first stage. It was the same vehicle that also is being used to transport Ariane 5 boosters. The P80 stage was mounted atop of a pallet. This pallet was mounted atop of the vehicle. When the vehicle arrived at the launch site, the pallet with the booster was railed from the vehicle onto the launchpad by small rails.

Transporting the P80 stage from the BIP to the launch site

Vega's launch site. (also being used by Ariane 1 and 3)

P80 booster arrives at launch site

P80 stage (+pallet) being railed in place on the launch platform

The new Vega launcher

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 AM ----------

More info about the 4 stages of the launcher:

P80, first stage
Height: 10.5 M
Diameter: 3 M
Propellant mass: 88 tonnes
Thrust (max): 3040 kN
Nozzle expansion ratio: 16
Burn time: 107 s

Zefiro 23, second stage
Height: 7.5 m
Diameter: 1.9 m
Propellant mass: 23.9 tonnes
Thrust (max): 1200 kN
Nozzle expansion ratio: 25
Burn time: 71.6 s

Zefiro 9, third stage
Height: 3.85 m
Diameter: 1.9 m
Propellant mass: 10.1 tonnes
Thrust (max): 313 kN
Nozzle expansion ratio: 56
Burn time: 117 s

AVUM (Attitude and Vernier Module), fourth stage
Height: 1.74 m
Diameter: 1.9 m
Propellant mass: 550 kg
Thrust (max): 2450 N
Vacuum specific impulse: 315.2 s

Payload composite
Height: 7.18 m
Diameter: 2.6 m
Payload volume: 20 m3
Fairing mass: 470 kg

---------- Post added 11-07-10 at 03:22 PM ---------- Previous post was 11-06-10 at 09:14 PM ----------

 

[orb]

ESA: Vega test campaign starts at Europe’s Spaceport:

16 November 2010

A mock-up of Europe’s Vega launcher first stage was transferred on 26 October from the Booster Integration Building to the Vega Launch Zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

This marks the first step towards the operational readiness of the Vega launch system and paves the way for next year’s qualification flight.

The start of the combined testing phase involved the mechanical validation of several elements of the launch vehicle and the ground segment.

{...}

The Vega launch preparations take place on the launch pad inside the mobile gantry that houses all the required support equipment to assemble and check the launcher. Its height is 50 m and weighs more than 1000 t.

 

[IronRain]

The first Vega is now assembled on the launch pad. This is a representative launcher that is being used for combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure. The whole stack consists of the first stage, second stage, third stage, the Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM) and the fairing. The launcher is assembled on the refurbished launch platform of the successful Ariane 1.

Fairing transported to the launch platform

Payload fairing being raised to be placed atop of the launcher

Payload fairing being raised to be placed atop of the launcher

The payload fairing moments before it will be placed atop of the launcher. You can see the AVUM very good in this image.

The fairing in place atop of the launcher

 

[orb]

ESA:
Vega completes system tests on launch pad


ESA’s new Vega small launcher has taken the next step towards its maiden flight later this year with completion of mechanical testing of a full-scale mock-up at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in April.

One particular test showed that the vehicle and the pad structure can withstand high winds during the hours before launch.

Other important work included ventilation and thermal testing, inertial platform alignment and performance testing, and umbilical tests. During thermal testing, the temperature of the vehicle, in particular the fairing and avionics, was monitored.

These tests were performed during daytime and night time to cover both launch situations.

A dry-run of the final countdown tested launch operations and the rollout of the mobile gantry.

In the coming months, the Flight Readiness Review will give the final green light for the maiden qualification flight, in the second half of 2011.

{colsp=4}

Click on thumbnails to view large versions​

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

{colsp=4}

Image Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2011​

 

[orb]

Space News: Vega Debut Pushed to January:

PARIS - The maiden flight of Europe’s Vega small-satellite launch vehicle will not occur before January but the European version of Russia’s Soyuz rocket will fly twice in 2011, using both of its European-version configurations, European government and industry officials said Sept. 21.

The Italian-led Vega rocket had been scheduled to fly in November or December. Maria Flamina Rossi, head of future-launcher planning at the 19-nation European Space Agency (ESA), said Vega is now on track for a January launch.

Rossi made her remarks during the Space Access conference organized by Astech Paris Region, a group of companies that supply Europe’s space sector.

Sergio Scippa, head of commercial development at Avio, which is Vega’s prime industrial contractor, agreed that the launch will be ready for January.

{...}

 

[Notebook]

http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMJY89U7TG_index_0.html

First Vega starts journey to Europe’s Spaceport


4 October 2011
The first elements of Europe’s new Vega small launcher left Italy last Thursday to begin their long journey to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marking the final step towards its inaugural flight in January.

 

[orb]

Arianespace: The first Vega for launch is heading to the Spaceport in French Guiana

 

[orb]

Arianespace: Vega arrives at French Guiana in preparation for its January 26 inaugural launch

 

[orb]

ESA: Vega getting ready for exploitation

Arianespace: Vega getting ready for exploitation

 

[orb]

ESA:
First Vega launch campaign aims for January liftoff

11 November 2011

The first Vega launch campaign began on Monday at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana with the installation of the first stage on the pad. Europe’s new small launcher is on track for its maiden flight at the end of January.

Click on image to enlarge​

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2011​

The hundred-tonne solid-propellant first stage, the P80, was moved from the Booster Integration Building to the pad on 7 November using the ‘Fardier’ heavyweight transporter.

As with the transfer of Ariane 5’s boosters, safety measures minimised the number of operators on site and evacuated nearby buildings.

With the P80 installed inside the mobile gantry, all ground installations are now being configured for the booster’s final acceptance, including the Thrust Vector Control system that swivels the large nozzle for steering.

Click on image to enlarge​

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2011​

In the coming weeks, the two solid-propellant second and third stages, the Zefiro-23 and Zefiro-9, will be transferred from the Vega Booster Storage and Preparation Building and added to the vehicle.

Before the end of the year, after the Flight Readiness Review, the AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module – fourth stage, will be integrated.

{...}

 

[orb]

ESA:
Vega moves closer to its first liftoff

15 December 2011

The integration of Vega’s first, second and third stages is now complete at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The new rocket is moving full speed ahead towards its maiden flight at the end of January.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's thirty-tonne solid-propellant second stage, the Zefiro-23, was transferred from the Vega Booster Storage and Preparation Building to the pad on 2 December at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2011​

The first Vega launch campaign began in November with the installation and testing inside the mobile gantry of the hundred-tonne solid-propellant first stage, the P80, and the Interstage-1/2 structure that links the first two stages.

The booster’s final acceptance included testing of the thrust vector control system. The large nozzle was swivelled to simulate different flight profiles. Electrical and avionics interface and functional tests were also performed.

Click on image to enlarge​

Hoisting of Vega's Zefiro-23 second stage at Europe's Spaceport, French Guiana on 2 December 2011.

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2011​

The next step was to move the 30-tonne solid-propellant second stage, the Zefiro-23, from the Vega Booster Storage and Preparation Building, to the pad. As with the P80, the second stage underwent final acceptance, including testing of its thrust vector control system.

Finally, the 10-tonne Zefiro-9 solid-propellant third stage was added on top of the launcher last week, marking another milestone of the campaign. Electrical and functional tests are now underway.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega preparations are moving full speed ahead at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, with the mating of the Zefiro-9 solid-propellant third stage with the vehicle.

 ​

Vega's maiden flight is planned for the end of January 2012.

Credits: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, Optique Video du CSG, P. Baudon​

The second and last Flight Readiness Review, held on 7 December, gave the go-ahead for the final preparation and launch.

In the coming days, the AVUM – Attitude &Vernier Upper Module – liquid-propellant fourth stage will be moved to the pad and added to the launcher.


Final preparations for launch in January

In parallel to the launcher activities, the LARES laser relativity satellite from Italy’s ASI space agency has undergone initial fit checks with the payload adapter and fairing.

By the end of the year, LARES and at least six small CubeSats and ALMASat-1 from European universities will be ready and enclosed in the fairing, well in time for the launch.

Click on image to enlarge​

The qualification flight of Europe's new small launcher, VV01, is scheduled for liftoff at the end of January 2012.

​

The payload for this first launch is the LARES laser relativity satellite from Italy’s ASI space agency and at least six small CubeSats and ALMASat-1 from European universities.

Credits: ESA, CSG, Arianespace, Optique Video du CSG, J.M. Guillon​

January will see the integration of the ‘upper composite’ – the fairing and payload – followed by final checkout of the fully integrated launcher and the countdown rehearsal.

The launch window for Vega’s maiden flight, VV01, opens on 26 January and closes in the first week of February.

This flight will pave the way for ESA’s missions to demonstrate flexibility and for commercial missions operated by launch provider Arianespace.

Preliminary feasibility studies for four Earth observation missions and one science mission are also underway.

{...}

 

[orb]

ESA:
Vega to fly ESA experimental reentry vehicle

16 December 2011

The launch of ESA’s IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on Europe’s new Vega rocket is now in detailed planning, a major step towards the craft’s flight in 2014.

Launched into a suborbital trajectory from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, IXV will return to Earth as if from a low-orbit mission, to test and qualify new critical technologies for future reentry vehicles.

Click on image to enlarge​

Europe’s ambition for a spacecraft to return autonomously from low orbit is a cornerstone for a wide range of space applications, including space transportation, exploration and robotic servicing of space infrastructure.​

Part of this goal will be achieved with IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, planned for launch in 2014. Launched into a suborbital trajectory on ESA’s Vega rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, IXV will return to Earth as if from a low-orbit mission, to test and qualify new European critical reentry technologies such as advanced ceramic and ablative thermal protection.​

The 2 t IXV lifting body is about 5 m long, 2.2 m wide and 1.5 m high. Its hypersonic lift-to-drag ratio of 0.7 guarantees the required aerodynamic performance.​

Credits: ESA/J.Huart​

It will attain an altitude of around 450 km, allowing it to reach a velocity of 7.5 km/s on entering the atmosphere. It will collect a large amount of data during its hypersonic and supersonic flight, while it is being controlled by thrusters and aerodynamic flaps.

IXV will then descend by parachute and land in the Pacific Ocean to await recovery and analysis.

ESA and the Arianespace launch provider signed a contract on 14 December to study the launch on Vega, as part of the VERTA – Vega Research and Technology Accompaniment – programme.

Click on image to enlarge​

ESA and the Arianespace launch provider signed a contract on 14 December to study the launch of ESA’s IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on Europe’s new Vega rocket, as part of the VERTA – Vega Research and Technology Accompaniment – programme.​

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2011​

The rocket’s qualification flight planned for liftoff at the end of January will pave the way for the next five VERTA missions that will demonstrate the system’s flexibility.

At a planned rate of two launches per year, the programme will allow the smooth introduction of Vega for commercial exploitation.

Click on image to enlarge​

Artist's impression of Vega​

Credits: ESA - J.Huart, 2011​

Following development of critical technologies and completion of the design, the vehicle’s manufacturing, assembly, integration and qualification is now under way for a flight window between January and September 2014.

Procurement of the ground network has begun, including the mission control centre, ground station telemetry kits, transportable antennas and communication network.

{...}



Parabolic Arc: Vega to Fly ESA Experimental Reentry Vehicle

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: ESA and Arianespace closing in on Vega’s debut launch

 

[Notebook]

Launch date fixed for Esa's Vega rocket

Europe has named Thursday 9 February as the day it intends to launch its new Vega rocket for the very first time.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16480111

N.

 

[orb]

ESA:
Vega rocket ready for first flight

19 January 2012

Final checkout of Europe’s new Vega launcher was completed last Friday, marking another milestone towards its maiden flight from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The first Vega launch campaign began in November with the installation of the P80 first stage on the launch pad. The two solid-propellant second and third stages were added to the vehicle, followed by the AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module – liquid-propellant fourth stage.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module – liquid-propellant fourth stage

Credits: ESA​

All four stages have undergone final acceptance, including the testing of the avionics, guidance, telemetry, propulsion, separation pyrotechnics and safety systems.

These steps culminated on 13 January with Vega’s ‘synthesis control checks’, where all systems were put into launch mode for the vehicle’s final acceptance. This included pressurising the AVUM propulsion systems that actuate the thruster valves.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module – liquid-propellant fourth stage

Credits: ESA​

The rocket’s elements were switched on from the control bench to simulate the launch countdown. The onboard software then took over and simulated the different stages of a flight. The interfaces between the vehicle and the control bench were also tested.

The test review confirmed that everything ran as expected and that the launcher is ready for flight.


What’s next?

The ‘upper composite’ – the fairing and payload – will be integrated, followed by final checkout of the fully assembled launcher and the countdown rehearsal.

The first launch, VV01, is targeted for 9 February. It will carry nine satellites into orbit: the Italian space agency’s LARES and ALMASat-1, together with seven CubeSats from European universities.

This mission aims to qualify the Vega launch system, including the vehicle, its launch infrastructure and operations, from the launch campaign to payload separation and disposal of the upper module.

{...}

 

[orb]

ESA:
First Vega rocket assembled on launch pad

27 January 2012

ESA’s new Vega rocket is now fully assembled on its launch pad. Final preparations are in full swing for the rocket’s inaugural flight from Europe’s Spaceport. The launch window opens on 9 February.

Click on image to enlarge​

ESA’s new Vega rocket is now fully assembled on its launch pad. Final preparations are in full swing for the rocket’s inaugural flight.​

Flight VV01 will lift off from the new Vega launch site at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying nine satellites into orbit: the LARES laser relativity satellite and ALMASat-1 from ASI with seven CubeSats from European Universities.​

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012​

The upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats, the payload adapter and the fairing, was moved to the pad late Monday night. A night transfer is the standard practice in Kourou to avoid overheating the payloads.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats and the fairing, was transferred to the pad on 24 January and added to the vehicle at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.​

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2012​

The move ended early Tuesday morning with its installation on the dedicated stand inside the mobile gantry to await mating with the launcher.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats and the fairing, was transferred to the pad on 24 January and added to the vehicle at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.​

Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2012​

The composite was then added on top of Vega’s AVUM fourth stage to finalise electrical connections and verify links, concluding with the final mechanical connection.

Click on image to enlarge​

Vega's new launch site at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana​

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012​

The main remaining steps to the maiden flight are the final checkout of the assembled vehicle, the full launch countdown rehearsal and the fuelling of the restartable AVUM.

{...}

 

[orb]

Parabolic Arc: Russian Rockets Face Competition From Vega

 

[Notebook]

http://multimedia.esa.int/Videos/2012/01/Vega-s-first-launch-campaign

More pics:

N.

 

[IronRain]

http://multimedia.esa.int/Videos/2012/01/Vega-s-first-launch-campaign

More pics:

N.

embed video:

 

[orb]

Universe Today: Inaugural Vega Rocket Poised at Europe’s South American Spaceport