The VEGA launch complex
The small new launcher of the European Space Agency called Vega - after the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere – will be launched three to four times per year from the European Space Port at Kourou. Seven European countries (Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden, in decreasing order according to their contributions) are financing this programme which was an Italian initiative. In all, they are contributing more than 450 million euros to cover development costs for Vega. ELV S.p.a., a new joint company created by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Avio S.p.a., is chosen to be prime contractor. ArianeSpace will be the commercial operator of the launcher as well as of Ariane 5 and Soyuz.
The VEGA launcher
Vega is a single body launcher with three solid propellant stages completed by an upper liquid propellant module. The latter controls the attitude and corrects the orbit and also houses and then releases the satellite. Thirty metres high and 3 m in diameter for a lift-off mass of 136 tonnes, it can place a satellite of 300 to 2,500 kilos in orbit depending on the orbit.
The VEGA facilities
The facilities intended for ESA’s small new launcher are being built at the European Space Port. The ELA-1 facility – a launch complex used for the first versions of Ariane – will be adapted for Vega. This will be a most effective and flexible cost-effective solution. The future mobile gantry for Vega will be used for assembly and integration operations for the launcher. A control centre (CDL-3) will be specially fitted out for the Vega team. The latter will thus be able to use not only the most modern launch centre on the base but also to draw on the operational experience of the Ariane 5 crew which will be working in the same building.
Vega, Soyuz and Ariane 5 will complement each other and will be available for customers in the small, medium and large satellites market. Europe will thus be able to offer launch services for all types of missions, orbits and satellite mass.
