COLLEFERRO, Italy -- The first element of Europe's future evolution of the Vega launch vehicle for use beyond 2025 was successfully tested this week at Avio in Colleferro, Italy. The test consisted of a hot firing of a 3D-printed subscale thrust chamber that is fed by liquid oxygen-methane propellants.
The tests were part of ESA's effort to upgrade the Vega launch vehicle and to develop a family of Vega's able to lift a wide range of payload masses. ESA plans to eventually introduce three versions of the Vega - the Vega-C, the Vega-E, and the Vega Light - that will be able to carry between 250 kilograms and 2,500 kilograms into orbit at cost effective prices.
The main element of this evolution is a new European cryogenic upper stage powered by a 10 t-class liquid oxygen-methane expander cycle engine, the M10, specifically designed for Vega, reducing its operational cost. The M10 Vega engine can be restarted and the thrust profile can be throttled to match mission requirements, opening up more launch opportunities.
Subsequent tests are planned in May next year with full-scale thrust chamber assembly tests, and the first tests of the M10 development model by the end of 2019.
The light launch vehicle market is becoming increasingly competitive. The Vega faces competition from other launch vehicles like India's PSLV and Japan's Epsilon. The market is expected to become increasingly crowded going forward as startups like Virgin Orbit, Rocket Lab, Vector Space Systems, and Firefly Aerospace all seek to design and build new lightweight launch vehicles. Although many will be smaller than the Vega, they will compete to carry small satellites into orbit.
Even so, the Vega is in a healthy position in the lightweight launch vehicle market. It will benefit from a strong domestic market due to its association with the European Space Agency. ESA is dedicated to using European-built equipment and continues to launch lightweight scientific satellites, which should ensure steady demand for the Vega . In fact, in April 2017, the European Commission committed to buying two Vega -Cs per year once the launch vehicle becomes operational in 2019.
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