KOUROU, French Guiana - A hot fire test of the P120C on July 16 at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana demonstrated the solid-propellant motor's flight-worthiness. The test lasted 135 seconds simulating the complete burn time from liftoff and through the first phase of flight.
No anomalies were seen and the performance met expectations, though full analysis will take several months. Sensors gathered data on 600 different measures during the test.
The P120C was installed on the test stand in Kourou last week.
Based on the P80 solid rocket motor used on the Vega, the P120C is 13.5 meters long and 3.4 meters in diameter. It contains 142 metric tons of solid propellant, providing 4,615 kN of thrust in a vacuum. ESA plans to use the P120C as the main engine on its Vega-C lightweight launch vehicle and as the side-mounted boosters aboard the Ariane 6. Either two or four P120Cs can be strapped onto an Ariane 6, depending on mission requirements.
All main components of the motor such as nozzle, igniter, solid propellant, and insulated motor case have already been tested separately. This static firing will prove these technologies, materials and production techniques in combination and validate the behavior of the assembled motor.
Companies like SpaceX have moved into the launch industry, offering significantly lower prices than were available in the past. ESA is working to develop common components for use aboard multiple space platforms to improve its competitiveness. One such component is the P120C booster. It will equip both the Vega-C and Ariane 6 launch vehicles. By using the motor on multiple launch vehicles, production rates will increase, and European industry will benefit from economies of scale, lowering cost on a per-unit basis.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart