ESA’s Vega-C Rocket Nears Return to Flight With Successful Tests Eyeing 2024 Relaunch

The European Space Agency (ESA) is nearing a crucial milestone in its progress toward returning its Vega-C rocket to space.

The prime contractor, Avio, has completed several successful tests at its test facility in Italy. The Vega-C could be relaunched in late 2024.

ESA's Vega-C Rocket Nears Return to Flight With Successful Tests Eyeing 2024 Relaunch — (Photo: Getty Images/ Ludovic Marin)

Getting Over Past Setbacks: A Successful Test and Plans for the Future

The Vega-C rocket has been grounded since December 2022 because of a problem with the tip of the Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor used in its second stage. Because of this failure and the retirement of the Ariane 5, ESA had to depend on outside companies like SpaceX to launch its satellites, leaving Europe without any domestic launch options.

Avio changed the tip of the Zefiro-40 to fix the problem. However, problems during tests in late 2023 pushed back the date for the plane's return to flight. A recent 94-second test of the better nozzle design, which simulated "nominal in-flight performance," was successful despite these problems. This is a very important step toward the rocket's return.

The latest redesigned Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor test is a big step forward. Avio says the new nozzle system worked as planned and met all the requirements during the test.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher noted this milestone's importance and said that the thrust curve measured during the test followed the expected theoretical line, which showed that the motor was working correctly. A follow-up test is set for October to ensure the motor works well.

If it works, the Zefiro-40 will be approved and ready for the Vega-C to take off again by the end of 2024. This is an excellent time because the Vega-C will replace the Vega, which will be retired in early September after carrying the Sentinel-2C Earth observation satellite for Europe's Copernicus program on its last journey.

Bridging the Launch Gap: Looking Ahead on the Ariane 6

When Russia lost its rockets because of political unrest, the Vega-C was made to fill the void by sending about 2,300 kg into polar orbit. The 7.6-meter-tall Zefiro-40 motor, full of more than 36 tons of solid fuel, is essential to this operation.

The triumphant return of the Vega-C will bring back ESA's medium-lift launch capabilities, which are very important for Europe's space operations. The Sentinel-1C radar imaging satellite will likely be on the Vega-C's return trip, but official confirmation is still being sought.

While the Vega-C prepares to launch again, the Ariane 6, ESA's heavy-lift rocket, is also preparing for its first flight, which is set for July 2024. Things are getting ready, and even though a recent qualification review found some minor problems, Aschbacher is still optimistic about meeting the launch window.

"It's still a lot of work, but nothing that worries me right now that would make it impossible to launch within this two-week window," he said, reassuring them that there aren't any significant problems that would stop the launch.

The successful tests of the Vega-C's Zefiro-40 motor are a big step forward for ESA and make it possible for the rocket to return to space. This progress restores ESA's launch capabilities and strengthens Europe's world space business.

As work on preparations continues, everyone in the space world looks forward to the Vega-C's relaunch and the first flight of the Ariane 6. This will start a new era for ESA's efforts to explore space and put satellites in orbit.