Vega origins

“Vega Launch Vehicle: an italian story of success”
Vega origins
Dr. Arturo de Lillis and Eng. Emanuela D’Aversa
ASI - Launchers and Space Transportation Unit
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
1964: San Marco I
the first Italian satellite
1964 Wallops Island USA
1967 S. Marco sea-platform - Kenya
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
the Scout LV has been the first multi-stage rocket equipped
with all stages with SRM’s. 4 stages LV (Algol, Castor,
Antares and Altair), 25,00 mt and 1 mt diameter, capable to
launch in LEO P/L from 80 to 210 kg
the ASI study contract for the Scout LV « italianization »
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
1992 - SXB3
1998 – Zefiro-16
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
from the classic booster to a new product:
Zefiro-16 SRM
Technological innovations
STRUCTURES
from Metallic to Carbon Fiber
composite
CASTING
from single body to demontable
mandrel
NOZZLE
from fix canted to movable
flexible joint
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
Zefiro-16 Development & Qualification
DM1 – June 1998
DM2 – June 1999
QM1 – December 2000
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
towards a new LV concept: Vega K0
Starting in 1997, ASI promoted the study of a new vehicle configuration, VEGA K.
450 kg @PEO
1200km
1500 kg
@PEO 700km
700 kg @ SSO
1200km
Kzero-L
Step 1
Step 2
4° stage
LPM
AVUM
Avum
3° stage
L6 (RD861)
P7
Zefiro 7
2° stage
Zefiro 16
Zefiro 16
Zefiro 23
1° stage
Zefiro 16
P85 (MPS-A5)
P80 FW
1998: start of the ESA programme Vega Small Launcher Step 1
A Joint Venture Company (Vegaspazio) has been constituted between FiatAvio and Aerospatiale to be the
Prime Contractor of the ESA step 1 development contract.
2000: Step 2 approval
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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Vega origins
Workshop Vega - 1 April 2015
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