Vega, Vega-C,...

[silentpom]

октоген пишет:
Кстати, весовое совершенство ступени впечатляет.

каталога ATK под рукой нет, с чем сравнить?

[silentpom]

Сергей пишет:
Сложно сказать, что учтено.

если смотреть как ATK писала в своиз каталогах - motor это как бы ступень целиком, так что учтено все

[Сергей]

silentpom пишет:

октоген пишет:
Кстати, весовое совершенство ступени впечатляет.

каталога ATK под рукой нет, с чем сравнить?

silentpom пишет:

Сергей пишет:
Сложно сказать, что учтено.

если смотреть как ATK писала в своиз каталогах - motor это как бы ступень целиком, так что учтено все

Пока получается коэффициент массового совершенства корпуса РДТТ  КМСкорп = 2080/36200=0,0575 - примерно соответствует открытым источникам, полной аналогии не бывает - всегда отличия по давлению,диаметру, удлинению корпуса, времени работы и т.д. Для ступени КМСступ. = 3006/36200=0,083 - примерно соответствует 2-ой ступени МБР "М-Х", если выбросить массу механизма раздвижки сопла  с приводом.
Motor case - корпус двигателя.

[tnt22]

Avio‏ @Avio_Group 1 ч. назад

The #AVUM stage consists of two different sections – (APM: AVUM Propulsion Module) and (AAM: Avum Avionics Module) http://www.avio.com/en/vega/vega/vega-4-stadio-avum/ ...

[tnt22]

http://www.avio.com/en/press-release/inert-propellant-casting-loading-of-the-first-full-scale-p120c-srm-completed/

18 Sep 2017

Inert Propellant Casting Loading of the first full scale P120C SRM completed



18 September 2017 – Regulus, an Avio/ArianeGroup joint venture, has completed the loading with inert propellant of the first Booster Case of the new P120C Solid Rocket Motor in French Guyana. Regulus is in charge of solid propellant manufacturing and casting for Vega and Ariane Launch Vehicles.

Спойлер

About 142 Tons of inert propellant have been produced and cast in the Booster Case, that was shipped this summer from Avio premises in Italy, to demonstrate and validate new manufacturing equipment, machines and process.

It represents the largest single casting of a solid propellant motor ever done.
Propellant curing is current on-going and, after cooling and casting tooling removal, the Loaded Case will be submitted to an intensive set of tests and checks (RX inspection, propellant mechanical test).

This represents an important milestone to free the way to the casting of the active propellant of the first P120C SRM, devoted to the first static firing test foreseen in the first half of 2018.
The P120C is the new first stage motor common to the new generation European launchers Ariane 6 and Vega C and it is jointly developed by Avio and the Ariane Group under their joint venture Europropulsion.

> download the press release 

[свернуть]

[tnt22]

Giulio Ranzo‏ @GiulioRanzo 2 ч. назад

First P120C SRM propellant casting complete at Regulus. One more step towards Ariane 6 and Vega C

[tnt22]

Stéphane Israël ретвитнул(а)

Giulio Ranzo‏ @GiulioRanzo 23 сент.

Second P120C Booster case manufactured and successfully tested. Ramping up towards Ariane 6 and Vega C. More to come soon.

[tnt22]

DutchSpace‏ @DutchSpace 19 мин. назад

Some improvements have been made after #VV09 on the #Vega launch pad #ELV #ZLV to limit acoustic levels endured by payloads at lift-off

[tnt22]

http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/italian-space-agency-and-italian-ministry-of-defense-choose-arianespace-to-launch-cosmo-skymed-second-generation-csg-satellites-manufactured-by-thales-alenia-space-on-the-occasion-of-the-34th-french/

Corporate | September 27, 2017

Italian Space Agency and Italian Ministry of Defense choose Arianespace to launch COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation (CSG) satellites manufactured by Thales Alenia Space on the occasion of the 34th French-Italian summit



Thales Alenia Space, joint-venture between Thales and Leonardo, and Arianespace today signed a launch contract for two COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation (CSG) satellites manufactured for the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defense.

Спойлер

The signing ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Paolo Gentiloni, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, at the Prefecture du Rhône, in Lyon, France, on the occasion of the 34th French-Italian summit.

The COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation satellites are Earth observation spacecraft featuring state-of-the-art technologies and engineering solutions, further bolstering Italian leadership in this sector. They also will foster the expansion of international strategic partnerships, such as those already set up in France and Poland.

The two satellites will be launched as from 2018 by Soyuz and Vega C launchers from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana.

This second-generation system, including its ground segment, will set a new performance standard for space-based radar observation systems in terms of precision, image quality and the flexibility of user services. It is a dual (civil/military) system, designed to address the requirements of both commercial and government customers, as well as the scientific community.

The satellites are equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR), capable of observations under any weather or light conditions, day or night.

Built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy using the PRIMA platform, the COSMO-SkyMed Second-Generation satellites will each weigh approximately 2,200 kg. at launch, and will be positioned in Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 619 kilometers.

Following the contract signature, Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Israël said: "Arianespace is honored by this expression of confidence from its long-standing partner, Thales Alenia Space, on behalf of the Italian space agency and Ministry of Defense."

"With this new launch contract, the second of the year awarded by the Italian government, Arianespace proudly continues its contribution to Italy's space program. The Italian government institutions' choice of Soyuz and Vega C to launch the second-generation COSMO-SkyMed satellites clearly shows that Arianespace's current and future launch services perfectly meet the needs of Europe, its Member-States and its space agencies."

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[tnt22]

http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/arianespace-signs-contract-with-elvavio-for-10-vega-and-vega-c-launchers-on-the-occasion-of-the-34th-french-italian-summit/

Vega    | September 27, 2017

Arianespace signs contract with ELV/AVIO for 10 Vega and Vega C launchers on the occasion of the 34th French-Italian summit

Arianespace and ELV/AVIO announced today the signature of a contract for Arianespace to order 10 Vega and Vega C launchers from the Italian manufacturer.

Спойлер

The signing ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Paolo Gentiloni, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, at the Prefecture du Rhône, in Lyon, France, on the occasion of the 34th French-Italian summit.

Today's contract was signed by Giulio Ranzo, CEO of AVIO, signatory on behalf of ELV; and Luce Fabreguettes, Arianespace's Executive Vice President, Missions, Operations and Purchasing.



These 10 additional Vega and Vega C launchers will enter service starting in 2019, from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana (South America).

Following the successes of the 10 Vega missions to date, with 10 more launches already in the Arianespace order book, today's contract confirms the long-term viability of the Vega light launcher, now established as the leading launch vehicle in its class. Vega is especially well suited to the launch of scientific or Earth observation satellites into low or Sun-synchronous orbits. It is fully available for European government and institutional missions, and offers equally high performance for other customers.

The higher-performance Vega C version will offer increased payload weight and volume, enabling it to carry out an even broader range of missions, from nano-satellites to larger optical and radar observation satellites – making it even more competitive.

Three of the first Vega C launchers have already been assigned to missions:
 

[/li]
• Two to orbit satellites in the Airbus Earth observation constellation, with contracts signed in June during the 2017 Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.
• One to launch a second-generation COSMO-SkyMed satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the Italian ASI space agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense.
  

Vega is part of the Arianespace launcher family, alongside the Ariane 5 heavy launcher and the Soyuz medium launcher, operated from the Guiana Space Center. The Vega launch system was developed through an ESA program financed by Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden.

ELV, a public-private joint venture owned by Avio (70%) and the Italian space agency (30%) based in Colleferro Italy, is the industrial prime contractor for Vega. The company is now responsible for all launcher preparations up to liftoff. Vega C will be operated under the same arrangements for its planned service entry in 2019.

Arianespace retains full responsibilities for customer relations, as well as for the final countdown operations and the launch decision.

During the signing ceremony, Avio's Giulio Ranzo, the signatory on behalf of ELV, said: "The agreement we signed today, just over a month since the tenth successful launch of Vega, underlines, on one hand, the fruitful relationship with Arianespace and, on the other, the great reliability of our products as acknowledged by Arianespace's international customers"

Arianespace's Luce Fabreguettes added: "With these 10 additional launchers, Arianespace proudly teams up with its partners to ensure the sustained operation of Vega, along with the service entry of Vega C as from 2019 at the Guiana Space Center. This latest contract confirms the favored relationship built up by Arianespace and ELV/Avio, industrial prime contractor for Vega, for the success of our light launcher, which has rapidly established itself as the standard in its class. With 10 Vega and Vega C launches in its order book, Arianespace addresses the growing demand from both government and commercial customers for small satellite launch services, in particular for scientific and Earth observation missions."

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[Salo]

 Peter B. de Selding‏ @pbdes
W/ Fr, Ital heads of state looking on, Avio & Arianespace contract for 6 Vega & 4 Vega-C rockets, delivery 2019-2021.
 
  1:21 - 28 сент. 2017 г.

[Salo]

 Peter B. de Selding‏ @pbdes
France-Italy summit: @Thales_Alenia_S & @ArianeGroup @Arianespace sign for 2018, 2020 launches of Cosmo-Skymed radar sats on Soyuz & VegaC.
 
  16:29 - 27 сент. 2017 г.  

[tnt22]

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/28/arianespace-procures-first-batch-of-upgraded-vega-c-rockets-preps-for-ariane-6-order/

Arianespace procures first batch of upgraded Vega-C rockets, preps for last Ariane 5 order
September 28, 2017 Stephen Clark

Arianespace has split its third order of Vega rockets from Italy's Avio between old and new versions of the solid-fueled booster, as officials prepare to build a final batch of around 18 Ariane 5 rockets before switching to the next-generation Ariane 6 in the early 2020s.

Спойлер

This artist's illustration shows the lineup of European rockets currently flying or scheduled to debut in the next few years. From left to right: Vega, Vega-C, Ariane 5 ECA, Ariane 62 and Ariane 64. Credit: ESA–David Ducros, Jacky Huart, 2016

The French launch company announced Wednesday the signature of a long-anticipated contract for 10 more Vega launchers from Avio, Vega's prime contractor. It marks the third order of Vega rockets from the Italian manufacturer, bringing the total number of Vega vehicles purchased to 26.

Six of the vehicles ordered by Arianespace will come in the same basic Vega configuration that has successfully launched 10 times since debuting in February 2012. Avio will also build the first four upgraded Vega-C launchers, featuring more powerful rocket motors and an enlarged payload fairing to haul bigger satellites into orbit.

Meanwhile, Arianespace is in the final stages of negotiating with its parent company, Ariane Group, to order around 18 more Ariane 5 rockets, the last batch of Ariane 5s to be built after more than 20 years of launches.

Arianespace expects to sell the additional Ariane 5 flights to commercial customers and European governments for launches through the early 2020s.

A separate order of new Ariane 6 rockets is also on tap, a milestone that will officially greenlight production and assembly of the first Ariane 6, which is due for its inaugural flight in July 2020, and will eventually replace the Ariane 5 upon its retirement around 2023.

The exact number rockets to be manufactured in last set of Ariane 5s, called the "PC" batch, will be determined later, according to Stephane Israel, chairman and CEO of Arianespace.

"It could be something with a target of 18, but with some flexibility," Israel said in a recent press briefing at Euroconsult's annual World Satellite Business Week conference in Paris. "We can, due to this flexibility, adjust the final number of launchers."

The timing of the switchover from the Ariane 5 to the Ariane 6 will depend on the success of the new launcher's initial flights, and customer demand. The pending order could give the Ariane 5 more than 125 total flights by the time of its retirement, assuming all the rockets are sold by Arianespace.

All 18 rockets from the last Ariane 5 production batch procured by Arianespace in 2013 now have customers for launches through 2020.

The new set of Vega rockets to be manufactured by Avio and its partners will begin flying from French Guiana in 2019, the same year of Vega-C's scheduled debut.

Arianespace and Avio signed the contract for new Vega vehicles Wednesday at the 34th French-Italian summit in Lyon, France. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni witnessed the signing.

"With these 10 additional launchers, Arianespace proudly teams up with its partners to ensure the sustained operation of Vega, along with the service entry of Vega-C as from 2019 at the Guiana Space Center," said Luce Fabreguettes, Arianespace's executive vice president of missions, operations and purchasing. "This latest contract confirms the favored relationship built up by Arianespace and ELV/Avio, industrial prime contractor for Vega, for the success of our light launcher, which has rapidly established itself as the standard in its class.

"With 10 Vega and Vega-C launches in its order book, Arianespace addresses the growing demand from both government and commercial customers for small satellite launch services, in particular for scientific and Earth observation missions," Fabreguettes said.

The Vega-C will be able to haul up to 4,850 pounds (2,200 kilograms) into a circular polar orbit 435 miles (700 kilometers) above Earth, nearly 50 percent better than the lift capability of the existing Vega design.

The upgrades will include replacing the Vega's solid-fueled P80 first stage motor with an enlarged P120 motor. The wider, longer P120 rocket stage will burn 142 metric tons — around 315,000 pounds — of solid powder propellant, compared to 88 metric tons — around 194,000 pounds — of fuel packed into the P80 motor.


The first P120 motor casing, intended for inert ground tests, was completed earlier this year at Avio's facility in Colleferro, Italy. Credit: Avio

The Vega-C's first stage will burn longer than the Vega's existing P80 motor, and produce about a million pounds of thrust, an increase from the nearly 700,000 pounds of thrust generated during current Vega liftoffs.

The P120 motor will also help power the Ariane 6 rocket, which will use two or four strap-on boosters derived from the Vega-C rocket mounted around its liquid-fueled core stage. Officials say sharing the P120 rocket motor between the two launchers will help cut costs.

The first ground firing of a P120 motor is scheduled for next year on a test stand in French Guiana.

The Ariane 6 and Vega-C programs are being developed through public-private partnership, cost-sharing arrangements by Ariane Group, Avio, the European Space Agency, and individual ESA member states.

Avio also developing a bigger second stage for Vega-C called the Zefiro 40, which will take the place of the Zefiro 23 second stage currently flying on Vega.

The Vega-C will use the same Zefiro 9 third stage already in service on Vega, and the hydrazine-fueled fourth stage, or AVUM, will have a lighter structure and carry additional propellant, further enhancing Vega-C's payload capacity.

The Swiss company Ruag is also designing a wider payload shroud for the top of the Vega-C rocket, allowing it to haul up bigger spacecraft or clusters of small satellites on the same mission.

Other innovations on the Vega-C include new avionics and navigation systems, and the Vega-C rocket will be the first European launcher to be equipped for tracking and telemetry relay through NASA's TDRS satellite network, reducing reliance on costly ground stations.

Arianespace has already signed customers for three of the early Vega-C rocket flights.

Two Vega-Cs will launch pairs of high-resolution commercial Earth observation satellites for Airbus Defense and Space beginning in mid-2020. The Italian Ministry of Defense and ASI, the Italian space agency, have booked one Vega-C and one Soyuz launch from French Guiana to carry two second-generation COSMO-SkyMed radar surveillance satellites to orbit.

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[tnt22]

Avio‏ @Avio_Group 6 ч. назад

#Vega E will be the ideal product for small satellites, starting in 2024.  http://www.avio.com/en/vega/vega-e/ 

[Salo]

Avio‏ @Avio_Group
Like its predecessor, the structural casing of P120 is made of carbon fibre, which is built from pre-impregnated epoxy sheets through filament winding and automatic fabric deposition. It will contain 141 tons of solid propellant. #VegaC #Avio #Arianespace
 
 7:19 - 17 нояб. 2017 г.
 
   Avio‏ @Avio_Group
#Zefiro 9 is the motor used in the third stage of the #Vega Launcher. Designed and built exclusively with #Avio technologies, it is 3.5 metres tall, has a diameter of slightly less than 2 metres, weighs 11.5 tonnes and burns 9 tonnes of solid propellant. #VegaC #Arianespace
 
  3:24 - 16 нояб. 2017 г.

[Salo]

http://www.flyorbitnews.com/2017/03/11/avio-p120c-vegac-tajani/

Il nuovo motore P120C in fibra di carbonio; Credits: AVIO


Il P120C in autoclave Credits: AVIO

[Salo]

http://www.a-vt.be/en/heavy-load-solutions/aerospace.aspx

30T air cushion AGV for P80 engine, first stage of Vega

[tnt22]

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Vega_Evolution_preparation_and_Space_Rider_development

Vega Evolution preparation and Space Rider development


Vega configurations

30 November 2017
ESA signed two contracts today with Italy's ELV and Thales Alenia Space to extend Europe's Vega space system capabilities and competitiveness, and develop Space Rider for payload return capability.

ELV will develop and extensively test a new European cryogenic upper stage engine development model for Vega evolutions beyond 2025, based on low-cost liquid oxygen–methane propulsion.

The engine replaces the current Zefiro-9 solid-propellant motor and the AVUM upper stage engine for Vega-E, matching Vega-C performance at significantly reduced costs and improved flexibility.

In addition, complementing the Small Spacecraft Mission Services (SSMS) programme already under development, ELV will investigate how existing motors such as the P120, P80, Z40, Z23, Z9, could be used to create a family of Vega-E configurations able to place payloads of 200–2500 kg into orbit.

Спойлер

This will incorporate promising technologies in the areas of 3D layer-by-layer additive manufacturing, hydrogen peroxide as low-toxicity propulsion, and advanced avionics, offering competitive production and operational costs.

The contract concerning the Vega evolution activities worth €53 million was signed by ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander and ELV Managing Director Andrea Preve at ESA headquarters in Paris.

In parallel, Thales Alenia Space and ELV will complete the detailed mission and system design up to the Critical Design Review for Space Rider.

The Space Rider space transportation system will be integrated with Vega-C, combining an Orbital Service Module derived from a Vega-C AVUM and a reentry module derived from the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator flown in 2015 on Vega.

...


Contracts signed for Vega-E and Space Rider development

The Vega and Space Rider development programmes provide the framework to consolidate a Vega space system able to capture the broadest market needs with Vega-C and its spin-offs products: SSMS, Space Rider, and the VEnUS Vega electric upper stage, covering access to low Earth orbit (LEO) for payloads up to 2300 kg, orbital transfer from LEO, and return from LEO, for a multitude of space applications in a competitive manner.

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[Salo]

https://www.spaceintelreport.com/esa-avio-arianegroup-skeptical-business-case-mini-satellite-launcher-sought-britain/

ESA, Avio, ArianeGroup skeptical of business case for mini-satellite launcher sought by Britain
 by Peter B. de Selding | Nov 30, 2017

The P120C is the first stage of the light-lift Vega-C rocket, to fly starting in 2019, and is also the strap-on booster for the Ariane 6 rocket, to enter service in 2020. The medium-lift Ariane 62 has two P120C boosters, the heavier Ariane 64 has four of them. Prime contractor Avio SpA is expected to lower costs by being assured of a demand for more than 30 P120C units per year, depending on the actual flight rate of the Vega-C and Ariane 6 rockets. Credit: ESA
 
PARIS — The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian government-industry joint venture that builds Europe's Vega rocket has tentatively concluded that British government's interest in its own launch base is unlikely to generate a profit.
As a result, ELV SpA, the joint venture between Avio SpA and the Italian Space Agency that is leading Vega program's evolution to launch groups of satelites weighing between 1 kilogram and 2,300 kilograms, is not involved in the British effort.
Instead, ELV and ESA, joined by space-infrastructure manufacturer Thales Alenia Space, are pushing forward with Vega improvements that will lower its cost and offer regular ride-share opportunities for owners of small satellites.
$106 million in Vega-related contracts signed with ESA Nov. 30
ESA, Avio and Thales Alenia Space on Nov. 30 signed two contracts related to how they see Vega's evolution.
The first, valued at 36.7 million euros ($43.5 million), is to continue design of the Space Rider, a reusable space laboratory that would be launched on a Vega into a 400-kilometer equatorial orbit. The unmanned vehicle would carry up to 800 kilograms of experiement payload and remain in orbit for two months before returning to Earth for a soft glide landing.
Giorgio Tumino, Vega and Space Rider development manager at ESA, said the program goal is to fly the same structure for six times, with each flight costing about 40 million euros including the necessary refurbishment between flights. Space Rider builds on ESA's Italian-led Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV), which made a successful flight in 2015.
Space Rider, initially approved by ESA governments in December 2016, is scheduled to reach its critical design review in late 2019, in time for full development go-ahead at an ESA ministerial conference scheduled then.
The second contract signed here Nov. 30, valued at 53 million euros, is for design work on a a third version of the Vega rocket, called Vega-E. The initial Vega rocket has been successful in its first 11 flights. It will be succeeded by Vega-C, which carries more payiload for the same cost as Vega and is scheduled to make its inaugural flight in 2019.

ESA is reviewing responses from small-satellite owners interested in flying on a proof-of-concept mission for the Small Satellite Mission Service (SSMS) in 2019. Credit: ESA
 

Спойлер

Vega-E would not have increased power but would cost substantially less than Vega-C by replaceing two Vega-C stages with a single liquid oxygen/methane-powered stage. Pending ESA governments' agreement Vega-E would begin development around 2024.
ESA and Avio are already designing a payload adaptor capable of carrying multiple small satellites, called the Small Satellite Mission Service (SSMS), which will make a proof-of-concept flight in 2018 or 2019 — before its critical design review — before entering regulat operation by 2022.
SSMS, capable of carrying multiple small sateliltes weighing as little as 1 kilogram or a single 2,300-kilogram satellite, is ESA's current offer to the fast-growing small-satelilte sector.

Avio: We dont see a sustainable business model in a cubesat-dedicated rocket

The Avio work on Vega iterations has given the company all the building blocks it needs to make what has been tentatively named a Vega E- Light vehicle, which would carry a total volume of 400-500 kilograms into low Earth orbit. Another version, called Vega E Light-Plus, would carry 1,400-1,500 kilograms of satellite payload.
Avio Chief Executive Giulio Ranzo said the company is looking at the market potential for minisatellite-dedicated versions but has made no decision.
Stefano Bianchi, ESA's Vega program director, said here Nov. 30 that ESA has contracted with industry for five feasibility studies for min-launchers but for now has made no decision to invest. Bianchi said the mini-launcher market may be left best to industry to develop.
The British government's exploration of its own spaceport is an example of the difficulty.
Andrea Preve, ELV's managing director, said Avio is not heavily involved in the British discussion despite the company's expertise because it does not see how to close the business case.
Preve said a vehicle dedicated to launching cubesats weighing a few kilograms each would have trouble reaching break-even given the cost of building and maintaining a spaceport.
Avio officials are also concerned that a vertical-launch rocket from British territory would face a complicated route through the atmosphere to avoid nearby islands and offshore oil production.
The British government itself has committed only to assuring that Britain's regulatory regime is no obstacle to a future commercial spaceport operator or to small-satellite owners.
If UK won't finance launch-service development, will private sector?
The UK government on Nov. 27 released a UK Industrial Strategy that is long on the "exciting opportunity" of a spaceport but short on financial commitment.
The 50 million British pounds ($67 million) offered by the strategy will be released only "subject to business case." The strategy evoked 99 million pounds previously approved for a National Stelite Testing Facility, to open in 2020. But this facility plays to the existing British industrial strength in small sateliltes. It is not principally a launch-support program.
Twenty-six proposals for spaceport development were submitted to the U.K. Space Agency in August. A decision on whether any will receive grants is expected by March 2018.
The British government has said that to take full advantage of the wave of small satellites being developed, it wants a domestic launch service operational by 2020 — a goal few in the U.K. believe possibe even if an existing foreign rocket were imported to operate from British soil.
Briish government officials are conducting a six-stop roadshow, to end in December, to promote the idea of a spaceport.

ArianeGroup/Arianespace: Mini-satellites don't need a mini-launcher

The effort has had little resonance in the rest of Europe. Airbus Defence and Space, which is prime contractor for France's M51 strategic missile and for the Ariane rocket family, shelved its Sparrow minisatellite launch vehicle after concluding it would not work as a profit-making business.
ArianeGroup's Arianespace launch-service provider has also studied the idea of a minilauncher but for now has concluded that aggregating small satellite owners on larger vehicles is more prudent.
"As of today, we think the best solution for microsatellites is not a micro launcher, but a ride-share offer on Vega-C and Ariane 6," Israel said Nov. 24 during a space-policy conference.
Israel was responding to a question from Tom Wilkinshaw, chief executive of startup microsatellite builder Alba Orbital of Scotland.
Wilkinshaw, repeating a common complaint of cubesat builders, said there are not enough affordable launch options to handle the growth of the cubesat sector.
But at least one market analysis concludes that the dedicated cubesat vehicles being designed will be much more costly than the ride-share options proposed today: http://bit.ly/2yFV8pB
Wilkinshaw focused his remarks on the British government's space policy on the regulatory reform that small-satellite builders hope will reduce the third-party-liability-insurane obligations now embedded in British law.
The current rules, designed to cover large satellites in geostationary orbit, force cubesat license-holder to insure each of their satellites for 60 million pounds. British regulators are now reviewing a modification of the regulation.

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[Salo]

http://www.vestifinance.ru/articles/94609

ЕС отказывается от украинских ракетных двигателей    
01.12.2017 21:55             

 Москва, 1 декабря - "Вести.Экономика". Европейское космическое агентство (ESA) выделило 53 млн евро итальянской компании Avio на разработку новых двигателей для легкой ракеты Vegа вместо украинских двигателей РД-843.

Контракты на разработку нового двигателя для ракеты-носителя Vega E, а также разработку многоразового корабля Space Rider были подписаны 30 ноября между ESA и компаниями ELV (European Launch Vehicle, дочерняя компания Avio) и Thales Alenia Space.

Фото: Philipe Sebirot / ESA

 В Европейском космическом агентстве заменят жидкостный двигатель РД-843, производящийся на украинском "Южмаше" и работающий на тетраоксиде азота и гептиле, "на более экологичный двигатель".

В ESA назвали еще одну причину, по которой были выделены средства на замену украинского двигателя. Дело в том, что в ESA не считают Украину "европейской страной", ее продукция не рассматривается как "европейская".

В комментариях американскому порталу SpaceNews руководитель проектов ESA по модернизации ракеты-носители Vega и проекта Space Rider Джорджо Тумино заявил о том, что ведомство хочет "европеизировать" двигатели РН Vega.

 "Еще одной целью ESA будет европеизация того, что не является европейским".

 При этом он заявил о том, что ESA все же будет использовать украинские двигатели в четвертой ступени модификации Vega C по причине того, что, по словам Тумино, "двигатель верхней ступени не удастся разработать за несколько лет". Но в дальнейшем они также будут заменены на "европейские".