vega 8/8/06 2:57 pm page 46 vega on the move · & renato lafranconi vega department,...

8
Vega on the Move Heading towards Qualification Vega on the Move Heading towards Qualification

Upload: phammien

Post on 15-Feb-2019

225 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

V ega, the European small launcher, willexpand the range of launch servicesoffered by Arianespace from French

Guiana. It is particularly suited to the smallerEarth-observation and scientific satellites fromEuropean institutions, and will reinforceEurope’s strategy of guaranteeing affordableaccess to space. The first launch is scheduled forNovember 2007.

IntroductionVega is an ESA optional programmefinanced by Belgium, France, Italy, TheNetherlands, Spain, Sweden andSwitzerland. It is managed by the VegaDepartment within the Directorate ofLaunchers, with an Integrated ProjectTeam from ESA, ASI and CNES atESRIN (Frascati, I) and the CNESLauncher Directorate (Evry, F). Thetwo Vega programme declarations coverthree projects:

– the Launch Vehicle, with ELV SpA(Colleferro, I) as prime contractor;

– the P80 Demonstrator (the Vega firststage solid-propellant motor), with

Fabrizio Felici, Miguel Lopez, Stefano Bianchi & Renato LafranconiVega Department, Directorate of Launchers,ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Mauro CardoneUnita’ Trasporto Spaziale, ASI, Rome, Italy

Philippe PascalDirection des Lanceurs, CNES, Evry, France

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 47

VegaVega on the MoveHeading towards Qualification

Vega on the MoveHeading towards Qualification

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46

Page 2: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

V ega, the European small launcher, willexpand the range of launch servicesoffered by Arianespace from French

Guiana. It is particularly suited to the smallerEarth-observation and scientific satellites fromEuropean institutions, and will reinforceEurope’s strategy of guaranteeing affordableaccess to space. The first launch is scheduled forNovember 2007.

IntroductionVega is an ESA optional programmefinanced by Belgium, France, Italy, TheNetherlands, Spain, Sweden andSwitzerland. It is managed by the VegaDepartment within the Directorate ofLaunchers, with an Integrated ProjectTeam from ESA, ASI and CNES atESRIN (Frascati, I) and the CNESLauncher Directorate (Evry, F). Thetwo Vega programme declarations coverthree projects:

– the Launch Vehicle, with ELV SpA(Colleferro, I) as prime contractor;

– the P80 Demonstrator (the Vega firststage solid-propellant motor), with

Fabrizio Felici, Miguel Lopez, Stefano Bianchi & Renato LafranconiVega Department, Directorate of Launchers,ESRIN, Frascati, Italy

Mauro CardoneUnita’ Trasporto Spaziale, ASI, Rome, Italy

Philippe PascalDirection des Lanceurs, CNES, Evry, France

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 47

VegaVega on the MoveHeading towards Qualification

Vega on the MoveHeading towards Qualification

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46

Page 3: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

The Structural Model of Interstage-1/2 at Dutch Space inLeiden (NL) during integration. The interstage remainsattached to stage-1 and carries six forward-facing solid-propellant retrorockets to ease separation at the end of the107-second P80 burn. The interstage qualification tests areunder way.

Final integration of the fairing qualificationmodel at prime contractor Contraves(CH).Mechanical and separation tests will beperformed on this model during the summer.

Interstage-2/3 tests at ELV. The interstage isbeing developed by Oerlikon ContravesItaliana (I). It has satisfied the qualificationvibration level (higher than the expected flightenvironment), and a separation test wassuccessful in February 2006.

The Z23 Zefiro stage-2 solid-propellant motor is preparedfor shipment to Sardinia for the June 2006 firing test.

The completed interstage-0/1, developed by SABCA (B).The large box is the Control & Power Distribution Unit(SABCA, B), flanked by four Li-ion batteries (SAFT, F). Thismodel will soon complete qualification mechanical tests.

The P80 motor case (length 10 m, diameter 3 m) at Avio inColleferro (I). The case is then shipped to French Guiana forpropellant casting, integration of components such as thenozzle, thrust vector control and sensors. The qualificationfiring is scheduled for November 2006 on the site’s BEAPteat stand. (ESA/S. Corvaja)

Thales, Zodiac, Galileo Avionica, CRISA,SAAB, SAFTAVUM Avionics

EADS CASA (E)AVUM Structure and AVUM Skirt

Avio (I)AVUM Propulsion System

Contraves Space (CH)Fairing

EADS CASA (E)Adapter

Avio (I)AVUM (stage integration and test)

AvioItaly, 3rd Stage (production, integrationand test)

Avio (I)2nd Stage (production, integration andtest)

SABCA (B)3rd Stage Thrust Vector Control

Oerlikon Contraves Italia (I)2/3 Interstage

Dutch Space (NL)1/2 Interstage

SABCA (B)2nd Stage Thrust Vector Control

SABCA (B)Interstage Skirt

SABCA (B)1st Stage Thrust Vector Control

SNECMA Propulsion Solide (F)Nozzle

Stork Product Engineering (NL)Stage 1-2 igniters

Avio (I)1st Stage (stage integration and test)

Europropulsion (F)P80 Filament Wound Motor

The ‘Maquette de Pilotage’ facility at ELV(Colleferro, I) was inaugurated in April. It isnow being used to characterise the P80 smallcontrol loop: moving the nozzle via theelectromechanical actuator developed bySABCA (B). Later on, it will be connected to theonboard computer to simulate complete flightsequences and to check the real-time anddynamic performances under realisticconditions. The current tests include rehearsalsof the sequence of nozzle movements for theP80 firing test in French Guiana in November.(ESA/S. Corvaja)

Hoisting the P80 nozzle for integration in thecontrol-loop test facility. The nozzle wasdeveloped by SNECMA Propulsion Solide (F).The advanced technologies used for theflexible joint and exit cone were covered bythe separate P80 demonstrator programme inorder to optimise the recurring cost inproduction. The nozzle for the P80qualification firing in November was shippedin July to French Guiana for integration withthe motor.

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 48

Page 4: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

The Structural Model of Interstage-1/2 at Dutch Space inLeiden (NL) during integration. The interstage remainsattached to stage-1 and carries six forward-facing solid-propellant retrorockets to ease separation at the end of the107-second P80 burn. The interstage qualification tests areunder way.

Final integration of the fairing qualificationmodel at prime contractor Contraves(CH).Mechanical and separation tests will beperformed on this model during the summer.

Interstage-2/3 tests at ELV. The interstage isbeing developed by Oerlikon ContravesItaliana (I). It has satisfied the qualificationvibration level (higher than the expected flightenvironment), and a separation test wassuccessful in February 2006.

The Z23 Zefiro stage-2 solid-propellant motor is preparedfor shipment to Sardinia for the June 2006 firing test.

The completed interstage-0/1, developed by SABCA (B).The large box is the Control & Power Distribution Unit(SABCA, B), flanked by four Li-ion batteries (SAFT, F). Thismodel will soon complete qualification mechanical tests.

The P80 motor case (length 10 m, diameter 3 m) at Avio inColleferro (I). The case is then shipped to French Guiana forpropellant casting, integration of components such as thenozzle, thrust vector control and sensors. The qualificationfiring is scheduled for November 2006 on the site’s BEAPteat stand. (ESA/S. Corvaja)

Thales, Zodiac, Galileo Avionica, CRISA,SAAB, SAFTAVUM Avionics

EADS CASA (E)AVUM Structure and AVUM Skirt

Avio (I)AVUM Propulsion System

Contraves Space (CH)Fairing

EADS CASA (E)Adapter

Avio (I)AVUM (stage integration and test)

AvioItaly, 3rd Stage (production, integrationand test)

Avio (I)2nd Stage (production, integration andtest)

SABCA (B)3rd Stage Thrust Vector Control

Oerlikon Contraves Italia (I)2/3 Interstage

Dutch Space (NL)1/2 Interstage

SABCA (B)2nd Stage Thrust Vector Control

SABCA (B)Interstage Skirt

SABCA (B)1st Stage Thrust Vector Control

SNECMA Propulsion Solide (F)Nozzle

Stork Product Engineering (NL)Stage 1-2 igniters

Avio (I)1st Stage (stage integration and test)

Europropulsion (F)P80 Filament Wound Motor

The ‘Maquette de Pilotage’ facility at ELV(Colleferro, I) was inaugurated in April. It isnow being used to characterise the P80 smallcontrol loop: moving the nozzle via theelectromechanical actuator developed bySABCA (B). Later on, it will be connected to theonboard computer to simulate complete flightsequences and to check the real-time anddynamic performances under realisticconditions. The current tests include rehearsalsof the sequence of nozzle movements for theP80 firing test in French Guiana in November.(ESA/S. Corvaja)

Hoisting the P80 nozzle for integration in thecontrol-loop test facility. The nozzle wasdeveloped by SNECMA Propulsion Solide (F).The advanced technologies used for theflexible joint and exit cone were covered bythe separate P80 demonstrator programme inorder to optimise the recurring cost inproduction. The nozzle for the P80qualification firing in November was shippedin July to French Guiana for integration withthe motor.

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 48

Page 5: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

Avio SpA (Colleferro, I) as prime andEuropropulsion (Suresnes, F) as maincontractor;

– the Ground Segment, with VitrocisetSpA (Rome, I) as prime contractor.

Vega has three solid-propellant stagestopped by a liquid-propellant uppermodule. It is about 30 m high, 3.0 m indiameter and has a launch mass of 137 t(excluding payload). The three mainsections are the Lower Composite(principally the three solid motors andtheir interstages), the Restartable UpperModule and the Payload Composite.The thrust at lift-off is about 2700 kNand reaches a maximum of 3040 kNduring the P80 first-stage burn.

Vega is sized to deliver 300–2000 kgpayloads (and eventually as multiplepayloads) directly into Sun-synchronousorbits, polar circular orbits or circularorbits of different inclinations with

Launchers

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 www.esa.intwww.esa.int 5150

Vega

Vega’s Inertial Reference NavigationSystem (Thales, F) is an off-the-shelf itemfrom Ariane-5.

The On-Board Computer, developed bySES (S).

The Multifunctional Unit, developed byEADS-Astrium (E), distributes power toavionics units and relays pyrotechniccommands from the computer.

The Safety Main Unit, developed byGalileo Avionica (I). Qualification isplanned for summer 2006. Part of the‘Safeguard’ system, its job is to issuedestruct commands to the lower stages inthe event of flight problems.

Manufacture of the interstage-3/AVUMstructure at EADS-CASA (E). This will beintegrated with the other uppercomposite elements (AVUM fluidssubsystem and avionics, adapter, fairing)for the overall mechanical and acousticqualification tests at ESTEC later in 2006.

Integration of the AVUM structuralmodels and fluid subsystem componentsat ELV (Colleferro) for the uppercomposite mechanical tests.(ESA/S. Corvaja)

The first Zefiro test, in Sardinia during December 2005,was followed by a Z23 stage-2 motor firing on 26 June.Further tests are planned for end-2006 and in 2007 aspart of the qualification process

The former ELA-1 Ariane-1 launch pad in French Guiana is being reworked for Vega

altitudes ranging from 300 km to1500 km. In addition, the reignitioncapability of the Attitude & VernierUpper Module (AVUM) offers greatflexibility for servicing a variety ofelliptical orbits.

StatusWhere is the Vega programme today?Many subsystems have passed theirCritical Design Reviews and some havebegun the qualification process. Sincelast year, testing has progressivelyreplaced the specification, design andtrade-off analyses and simulation work;this trend will become even moreobvious in 2006. In October 2005, afiring test of the AVUM engine wassuccessful at contractor Yuzhnoye inUkraine. This was followed in Decemberby the first firing of Vega’s Zefiro-9third-stage motor, at Salto di Quirra insouth-eastern Sardinia. e

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 50

Page 6: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

Avio SpA (Colleferro, I) as prime andEuropropulsion (Suresnes, F) as maincontractor;

– the Ground Segment, with VitrocisetSpA (Rome, I) as prime contractor.

Vega has three solid-propellant stagestopped by a liquid-propellant uppermodule. It is about 30 m high, 3.0 m indiameter and has a launch mass of 137 t(excluding payload). The three mainsections are the Lower Composite(principally the three solid motors andtheir interstages), the Restartable UpperModule and the Payload Composite.The thrust at lift-off is about 2700 kNand reaches a maximum of 3040 kNduring the P80 first-stage burn.

Vega is sized to deliver 300–2000 kgpayloads (and eventually as multiplepayloads) directly into Sun-synchronousorbits, polar circular orbits or circularorbits of different inclinations with

Launchers

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 www.esa.intwww.esa.int 5150

Vega

Vega’s Inertial Reference NavigationSystem (Thales, F) is an off-the-shelf itemfrom Ariane-5.

The On-Board Computer, developed bySES (S).

The Multifunctional Unit, developed byEADS-Astrium (E), distributes power toavionics units and relays pyrotechniccommands from the computer.

The Safety Main Unit, developed byGalileo Avionica (I). Qualification isplanned for summer 2006. Part of the‘Safeguard’ system, its job is to issuedestruct commands to the lower stages inthe event of flight problems.

Manufacture of the interstage-3/AVUMstructure at EADS-CASA (E). This will beintegrated with the other uppercomposite elements (AVUM fluidssubsystem and avionics, adapter, fairing)for the overall mechanical and acousticqualification tests at ESTEC later in 2006.

Integration of the AVUM structuralmodels and fluid subsystem componentsat ELV (Colleferro) for the uppercomposite mechanical tests.(ESA/S. Corvaja)

The first Zefiro test, in Sardinia during December 2005,was followed by a Z23 stage-2 motor firing on 26 June.Further tests are planned for end-2006 and in 2007 aspart of the qualification process

The former ELA-1 Ariane-1 launch pad in French Guiana is being reworked for Vega

altitudes ranging from 300 km to1500 km. In addition, the reignitioncapability of the Attitude & VernierUpper Module (AVUM) offers greatflexibility for servicing a variety ofelliptical orbits.

StatusWhere is the Vega programme today?Many subsystems have passed theirCritical Design Reviews and some havebegun the qualification process. Sincelast year, testing has progressivelyreplaced the specification, design andtrade-off analyses and simulation work;this trend will become even moreobvious in 2006. In October 2005, afiring test of the AVUM engine wassuccessful at contractor Yuzhnoye inUkraine. This was followed in Decemberby the first firing of Vega’s Zefiro-9third-stage motor, at Salto di Quirra insouth-eastern Sardinia. e

Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 50

Page 7: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

Launchers

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 www.esa.intwww.esa.int 5352

Vega

This year is even more challenging forVega, because many of the subsystemsare now undergoing significant testingand beginning their qualification process.Three solid-motor firing tests are planned– two in Sardinia and one at Europe’sSpaceport in French Guiana. At the sametime, the Upper Composite mechanicaltests and hardware-in-the-loop tests atsystem level have started and will becompleted before the System CriticalDesign Review at the end of 2006. This isa major step towards the combined testsof mid-2007, integrating the launchvehicle and the ground segmentcomponents to check the interfaces andthe operational concept to be used for thequalification campaign.

At the Spaceport, work continues onadapting the former Ariane-1 launch padfor Vega. The Mobile Gantry, whereVega’s integration and preparation will beperformed, will be completed in the lastquarter of 2006. This then allows theinstallation of subsystems such as airconditioning, fluids and power to go

ahead. Vega’s control centre will belocated in the Centre de LancementCDL-3, the same building used forconducting Ariane-5 operations.

The qualification flight at the end of2007 will give the green light for theexploitation phase by Arianespace. TheVERTA Vega Research & TechnologyAccompaniment programme, approved bythe Ministerial Conference in Berlin inDecember 2005, includes fivedemonstration flights, mainly of ESAmissions, to demonstrate the vehicle’sflexibility in various configurations andorbits.

AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to acknowledgethe excellent work by industry colleaguesin Vega, P80 and ground segmentdevelopment and operations. They wouldalso like to thank all their colleagues inthe Integrated Project Team in Frascatiand Evry, as well as those supporting the Project in Evry, Estec, ESOC andHQ. e

The casing of the P80 motor is created by windingfilaments of carbon fibre. (ESA/S. Corvaja)

Vega 8/8/06 2:58 PM Page 52

Page 8: Vega 8/8/06 2:57 PM Page 46 Vega on the Move · & Renato Lafranconi Vega Department, Directorate of Launchers, ESRIN, Frascati, Italy Mauro Cardone ... Vega on the Move Vega Heading

Launchers

esa bulletin 127 - august 2006esa bulletin 127 - august 2006 www.esa.intwww.esa.int 5352

Vega

This year is even more challenging forVega, because many of the subsystemsare now undergoing significant testingand beginning their qualification process.Three solid-motor firing tests are planned– two in Sardinia and one at Europe’sSpaceport in French Guiana. At the sametime, the Upper Composite mechanicaltests and hardware-in-the-loop tests atsystem level have started and will becompleted before the System CriticalDesign Review at the end of 2006. This isa major step towards the combined testsof mid-2007, integrating the launchvehicle and the ground segmentcomponents to check the interfaces andthe operational concept to be used for thequalification campaign.

At the Spaceport, work continues onadapting the former Ariane-1 launch padfor Vega. The Mobile Gantry, whereVega’s integration and preparation will beperformed, will be completed in the lastquarter of 2006. This then allows theinstallation of subsystems such as airconditioning, fluids and power to go

ahead. Vega’s control centre will belocated in the Centre de LancementCDL-3, the same building used forconducting Ariane-5 operations.

The qualification flight at the end of2007 will give the green light for theexploitation phase by Arianespace. TheVERTA Vega Research & TechnologyAccompaniment programme, approved bythe Ministerial Conference in Berlin inDecember 2005, includes fivedemonstration flights, mainly of ESAmissions, to demonstrate the vehicle’sflexibility in various configurations andorbits.

AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to acknowledgethe excellent work by industry colleaguesin Vega, P80 and ground segmentdevelopment and operations. They wouldalso like to thank all their colleagues inthe Integrated Project Team in Frascatiand Evry, as well as those supporting the Project in Evry, Estec, ESOC andHQ. e

The casing of the P80 motor is created by windingfilaments of carbon fibre. (ESA/S. Corvaja)

Vega 8/8/06 2:58 PM Page 52