In recent news, Avio announced that EUR 350 million has been allocated for Vega-E development upgrades to Vega-C’s ground system. The Avio Vega-C, the current variant of the Vega launch vehicle, will be succeeded at the end of this decade by the Vega-E. With a larger payload capacity than Vega-C, the ‘E’ will require some changes to typical Vega operations.
Vega-E will be an evolutionary upgrade to the Vega-C, with a planned first launch date in 2027/28. It will be able to accommodate payloads up to 3,000 kilograms. The launch vehicle will be reduced to three stages from four, and the Ukrainian-supplied RD-843 upper stage motor will be replaced with a European-built “Mira” upper stage and its M10 engine.
With three instead of four stages, Avio states that, “Whereas Vega-C requires no fueling on the launch pad, Vega-E will have a liquid-fueled methane-liquid oxygen upper stage replacing both Zefiro 9 and AVUM that will be fueled just hours before liftoff.”
Despite a change in operations, the Vega-E’s increased payload will make it a more capable option for buyers. With the Soyuz pad in Kourou now being utilized for MaiaSpace’s rocket that will launch 1,500 kilograms to orbit and Ariane 6 lifting about 21,000 kilograms to LEO, ArianeSpace has a comprehensive set of offerings moving forward.
Space, and especially the launch market, is becoming increasingly competitive. Nations are looking more to Space and the options for who can get them there is ever growing. The Japanese H3, as an example, is garnering orders and Iran has launched with Russia . Vega-E will be a player as the Vega-C and Vega is and was.
Carter Palmer has long held a keen interest in military matters and aviation. As a FI's space systems analyst he is responsible for updating the reports and analyses within the Space Systems Forecast – Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms and Space Systems Forecast – Satellites & Spacecraft products.
