Avio

Regulatory Filings • May 28, 2024

Informazione Regolamentata n. 1771-26-2024		Data/Ora Inizio Diffusione 28 Maggio 2024 17:19:16	Euronext Star Milan
Societa'	:	AVIO SPA
Identificativo Informazione	:	191404
Regolamentata
Utenza - Referente	:	AVIONSS01 - Agosti
Tipologia	:	REGEM
Data/Ora Ricezione	:	28 Maggio 2024 17:19:16
Data/Ora Inizio Diffusione	:	28 Maggio 2024 17:19:16
Oggetto	:	Successful engine test boosts Vega-C towards return-to-flight
Testo del comunicato

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SUCCESSFUL ENGINE TEST BOOSTS VEGA-C TOWARDS RETURN-TO-FLIGHT

Colleferro (Rome), 28 May 2024 – The Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega C rocket, was tested on 28 May by Vega-C prime contractor Avio at its Salto di Quirra test facility in Sardinia, Italy. The motor featured an improved engine nozzle design, required to prepare for a Vega-C return-to-flight by the end of 2024.

Initial post-test review indicates that the new nozzle assembly performed as expected throughout the scheduled 94 seconds burning time of the test, simulating a nominal in-flight performance.

The Zefiro-40 is a 7.6 m tall rocket motor, loaded with over 36 tons of solid propellant. For this test the motor was installed on its horizontal test bench. Zefiro-40 is developed and manufactured by Avio in their Colleferro factory near Rome, Italy.

A second firing test will be conducted after the summer to confirm the data collected today. Avio engineers will review the data from the first test to prepare for a second test in October that will then qualify the second stage Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for return-to-flight by end 2024 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Vega-C is a 35 m high launcher with a mass at liftoff of 210 000 kg. It can place about 2300 kg into a polar orbit. Vega-C can accommodate a mix of cargo shapes and sizes, ranging from CubeSats as small as one kilogram up to a single large payload.

From Vega to Vega-C

Vega-C is the larger evolution of the Vega family of rockets. The original Vega was launched in 2012 and has flown 21 times since. The last Vega flight is scheduled this summer, after which the model will be retired and Vega-C will take over. The smaller Vega variant does not use the Zefiro-40 stage.

ESA is responsible for the Vega-C launch system qualification and also purchases

launch services for European institutional missions. The Vega-C development programme was carried out with participation of thirteen ESA Member States, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. The Agency is the contracting authority for the development of Vega-C, supports both the development and exploitation, while also providing technical supervision based on its 30 years of experience.

Avio is the prime contractor and design authority of the Vega-C launchers. Arianespace is the launch service provider.

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For further information

Media Relations contacts: francesco.delorenzo@avio.com

Investor relations contacts: alessandro.agosti@avio.com nevio.quattrin@avio.com

Avio is a leading international group engaged in the construction and development of space launchers and solid, liquid and cryogenic propulsion systems. The experience and knowhow built up over more than 50 years puts Avio at the cutting edge of the space launcher sector and defence program. Avio operates in Italy, France and France Guyana with 5 facilities, employing approx. 1,300 highly qualified personnel, of which approx. 30% involved in research and development. Avio is a prime contractor for the Vega programme and a sub-contractor for the Ariane programme, both financed by the European Space Agency (ESA) placing Italy among the limited number of countries capable of producing a complete spacecraft

	Fine Comunicato n.1771-26-2024	Numero di Pagine: 4
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