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Science Successful test of ESA rocket
Science Successful test of ESA rocket | Successful test of ESA rocket |
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| Written by Stephen Withers | |
| Thursday, 06 December 2007 | |
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The P80 is destined to power the first stage of the Vega small launcher that has been designed to take a 1500kg satellite to a 700km circular orbit. Unusually, the P80 uses a single solid propellant segment weighing 88 tonnes. Solid fuel rockets of this size typically use several separately-cast segments. Unlike the Arianne 5 solid boosters which have a steel shell, the P80 has a filament-wound composite casing. "The qualification of the P80 motor is a cornerstone. It is the biggest mono-segment, filament-wound-case solid-fuel rocket motor ever developed and this takes us a step closer to the Vega maiden flight," said Stefano Bianchi, ESA's head of the Vega programme. "The programme has a tight schedule for the maiden flight. We can proceed - as from today - with increased confidence. Let's make sure we will meet the next major milestones as scheduled." Vega's first flight, originally planned for late 2007, is now scheduled to occur by the end of 2008. The launcher is being developed ESA with the support of Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, The Netherlands, and Sweden.
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