Vega-C launch vehicle will be grounded for at least another year, says ESA | Abroad

On December 21, Arianespace’s Vega-C launch vehicle took off from Kourou in French Guiana as planned, but suffered a loss of pressure shortly after second stage ignition, approximately 144 seconds after lift-off. The decision was made to destroy the launch vehicle in accordance with standard procedures. The satellites on board were also lost.

LOOK. European Vega launch vehicle is lost shortly after launch

An independent investigative committee subsequently recommended, among other things, that changes be made to the Zefiro40 engine of the second stage. A new material was used for part of the nozzle, but the design itself was not adjusted, as was explained during an ESA press conference on Monday. However, at the end of June, things went wrong during a static test with that modified engine, during which the nozzle was seriously damaged.

The investigation committee came to the conclusion that the new material itself was not the problem, but that the design of the nozzle must be adapted to the different thermomechanical properties of that material, compared to the material that was previously used. After these adjustments, the engine will have to be tested on the ground at least twice more to verify its proper functioning.

Taking those recommendations into account, “Vega-C is expected to fly again in the fourth quarter of 2024,” ESA said on Monday. If all goes well, there would be five launches in 2025 and four or five each in the following years.

The problems with the Vega-C do not affect the previous version of the launch vehicle, the Vega. But there are only two copies left that can be launched. A first launch is planned for Friday in Kourou, the second would take place in the second quarter of 2024.

ESA is also experiencing delays with another launch vehicle, the Ariane 6, whose first flight is currently scheduled for 2024.