Vega Launch System
Final Preparation for
Qualification Flight
A. Neri
Vehicle Principal Engineer
Vega-IPT ESA/ESRIN
Space Transportation TC Technical Committee
AIAA JPC 2011, San Diego (CA), 04/08/2011
Contents
European Vehicle Family
Vega Program Management Frame
The Launch Vehicle
The Ground Segment
The Vehicle/Ground Segment Combined Tests Campaign
Development Status remaining activities up to maiden flight
The Maiden Flight
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 2
The European Vehicle Family (1/2)
The launchers developed by ESA
guarantee European access to space.
Their development is an example of
how space challenges European
industry and provides precious
expertise.
Ariane is one of the most successful
launcher series in the world, soon to
be complemented by Vega and
Soyuz, launched from Europes
Spaceport in French Guiana.
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 3
The European Vehicle Family (2/2)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 01-03/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 4
VEGA Launch Complex
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 5
VEGA Launch System at a Glance
Vega complements the European Space Agency family of launchers
and targets the small payload in low Earth orbit
Vega will guarantee European independent access to Space for
many institutional satellites performing a wide range of missions
(science, earth observation, exploration...).
VEGA Reference Mission capability:
1 500 kg at 700 km in circular polar orbit
Flexibility: a wide mission range
From equatorial to polar & SSO orbit (5.2 - 102)
From 300 km to 1 500 km altitude
From 300 kg to 2 500 kg
Design Reliability: 0.98
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 6
Program Management
Within ESA Launchers Directorate,
The VEGA Integrated Project Team (IPT) has the overall responsibility
for the development and qualification of the launch system (about 50
persons).
Three elements for one system:
The Launch Vehicle The P80 The Ground Segment
The IPT, composed by ESA, ASI and CNES representatives is located in
ESRIN, Frascati (VEGA vehicle & ground segment) and in CNES, Evry
(P80)
The IPT also receives the technical support (additional 40/50 persons) of
the various agencies (ESA, ASI, CNES) and Arianespace.
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 7
The Launch Vehicle
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 8
The Launch Vehicle
Overall Length: ~ 30 m
LV mass at lift-off: ~ 139 ton
VEGA LV Configuration:
First Stage: P80 FW SRM
Second Stage: Zefiro 23 SRM
Third Stage: Zefiro 9 SRM
Fourth Stage: AVUM liquid upper module
Upper Composite (payload adapter & fairing)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 9
The Stages
Payload Faring
m
RUAG (CH) Payload Volume diameter
et
er
2.35 meter Payload
Payload Adapter
EADS CASA Volume
diameter
Clamp-band 2.35
EADS CASA meter
AVUM Structure
EADS CASA
AVUM Engine
KB Yuzhnoye
Inter-stage 2/3
Rheinmetall
Inter-stage 1/2
Dutch Space
Thrust Vector Control P80, Z23, Z9, AVUM
S.A.B.C.A
P80 Motor
Igniters P80, Z23, Z9
Europropulsion
APP
Inter-stage 0/1
S.A.B.C.A Avionics
Thales, IN-SNEC, Selex Avionica,
P80 Nozzle
SNECMA Solid Prop. CRISA, RUAG (S), SAFT
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 10
The 1st Stage (1/4)
Main subsystems
Loaded motor case
Igniter
Nozzle
Thrust Vector Control
Rear skirt (IS 0/1)
Inter-stage 1/2 skirt
Avionic
Thrust Vector Control driving unit
Batteries
Safeguard subsystem
Length: 10.5 m : 3.0 m
Combustion time: 107 s
Thrust (vacuum): 2980 kN
Max pressure: 95 bars
Propellant mass: 88383 kg
Inert mass: 7408 kg
Vacuum specific impulse: 279.5 s
Nozzle expansion ratio: 16
Nozzle deflection angle: +/- 6.5
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 11
The 1st Stage (2/4)
Subsystem Tests
P80 casting test
P80 filament wounding facility
P80 case hydroburst test
Rear skirt
strength
test
TVC subsystem test facility
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 12 P80 igniter test
The 1st Stage (3/4)
P80 components
Inter-stage 0/1 lay out
Nozzle
Avio Colleferro P80 & Zefiro plant Inter-stage 1/2
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 13
The 1st Stage (4/4)
Static Firing Tests
Development firing test: 30 November 2006
Qualification firing test: 4 December 2007
Stage qualification: June 2010
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 14
The 2nd Stage (1/2)
Main subsystems
Loaded motor case
Igniter
Nozzle
Thrust Vector Control
Avionic
Thrust Vector Control driving unit
Batteries
Safeguard subsystem
L: 8.9 m : 1.925 m
Combustion time: 71 s
Thrust (vacuum): 1200 kN
Max pressure: 95 bar
Propellant mass: 23900 kg
Inert mass: 1877 kg
Vacuum specific impulse: 289 s
Nozzle expnsion ratio: 25
Nozzle deflection angle: +/- 6.5
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 15
The 2nd Stage (2/2)
Development firing test: 26-06-2006
Qualification firing test: 23-03-2008
Stage qualification: December 2008
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 16
The 3rd Stage (1/3)
Main subsystems
Loaded motor case
Igniter
Nozzle
Inter-stage skirt 2/3
Thrust Vector Control
Avionic
Thrust Vector Control driving unit
Batteries
Safeguard subsystem
L: 4.12 m : 1.925 m
Combustion time: 117 s
Thrust (vacuum): 280 kN
Max pressure: 67 bar
Propellant mass: 10 115 kg
Inert mass: 833 kg
Vacuum specific impulse: 294 s
Nozzle expansion ratio: 56
Nozzle deflection angle: +/- 6
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 17
The 3rd Stage (2/3)
Zefiro 9 actuator
Inter-stage 2/3 strength test
Inter-stage 2/3 vibration test
Z9 Integrated Power
Distribution Unit
Safeguard Master
Unit
TVC Li-Ion battery module
Z9 nozzle with base cover
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 18
The 3rd Stage (3/3)
Z9 Development firing test: 19-12-2005
Z9 Qualification firing test: 27-03-2007 Nozzle failure
Z9 Qualification firing test 1 23 October 2008
Z9 Qualification firing test 2 28 April 2009
Z9 VERTA firing test May 2010
Stage qualification: November 2009
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 19
The Fourth Stage: AVUM (1/3)
Helium pressurised tanks (GHe):
88 litres @ 310 bar Avionics module
Propellant tanks (NPO L - Russia)
UDMH: 2 x 142 litres
NTO: 2 x 142 litres
Max pressure: 36 bars
RACS: 2 x 3 thrusters (Aerojet)
Thrust: 240 N (each)
N2H4 tank: 39 kg @ 26 bar
Liquid Propulsion
module
(LPS + RACS)
Main engine: RD-869 (YUZHNOYE - Ukraine)
Thrust: 2450 N
Specific impulse: 315.5 s
Restartable: 5 times
Gimbal
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2011 | San Diego, CA+/- 10 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 20
| 04/08/11
The Fourth Stage: AVUM (2/3)
Main Engine Qualification
Three Qualification engines tested
6000 s cumulated firing time
More than 100 Ignition sequences
(vacuum cold & hot, restarts)
Stage firing test campaign
Robustness tests (bubble injection)
Strength tests
Stage vacuum firing tests
Engine vacuum firing tests
Engine hot restart
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 21
firing tests
The Fourth Stage: AVUM (3/3)
AVUM structure strength test
AVUM on its integration stand AVUM Engine
Stage qualification (structure & propulsion)
Feb 2010
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 01-03/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 22
AVUM Lay out
The Upper Composite
Fairing strength test
Fairing qualification Dec 2007
Adapter qualification Apr 2010
Adaptor strength test
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 23
The Vehicle Avionics
Avionics functions are distributed among Hardware items
and On-Board Software. They are split into the following
three subsystems:
The GNC - Guidance, Navigation and Control Subsystem
The SAS - Safeguard Subsystem
The TMS - Telemetry subsystem
AVUM and Avionic module lay out
Avionic module (IRS handling)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 24
The Avionics Equipment
Any equipment is qualified
The overall functional qualification of the Electrical systems of the vehicle
is performed on a dedicated test facility: the HardWare In the Loop test
bench (HWIL)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 25
The Vehicle System Tests
The system tests campaigns: from the stages and sub systems to the Launch Vehicle
Fundamental steps towards the Launch Vehicle qualification
Mechanical
Upper Composite Mechanical Campaign
Wind test tunnel, Scaled acoustic
Vehicle modal characterisation
Stages separations
Electrical
Upper Composite Electro-Magnetic Compatibility Campaign
HardWare In the Loop tests campaigns
All system test campaigns have been successfully completed
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 26
Upper Composite Mechanical Tests
Acoustic test in
ESTEC
AVUM vibration
test in ESTEC
Fairing boat tail
separation test in INTA
Composite integration in ESTEC
AVUM separation test
(INTA)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 27
Mechanical System Tests
Inter-stage 2/3 Inter-stage Separation
Separation Test ELV Test
INTA
Inter-stage 1/2
Separation Test
ELV
Acoustic scale Wind test tunnel LV Modal
model DLR characterisation
ONERA IABG
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 28
Upper Composite Electro-Magnetic
Compatibility Tests
AVIONICS tests campaigns
Conducted
Radiated campaign
campaign
(INTA Spain)
(ELV)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 29
Vehicle System Electrical Tests
HardWare In the Loop facility allows testing the whole electrical equipments and the flight program
software of the Launch Vehicle
The bench includes every Vehicle electrical equipment and actuator
The facility allows testing failures and degraded modes. Erroneous signal may be injected to test
FDIR functions and the robustness of the system.
HardWare In the Loop test campaign
The backbone of the Electrical systems qualification
Thrust Vector Control loop
performance
Flight Program Software
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 30
The Ground Segment
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 31
Ground Segment Architecture
VEGA Launch Vehicle is operated from a dedicated room in the Ariane 5
Launch Control Building
The Ground Segment is divided in four main sub systems
Infrastructures and Mobile Gantry
Vega Control Bench (CCV)
Safety Control Bench (CCS)
Fluid systems (Air, N2, He, N204, UDMH, N2H4, water)
Safety Control Command is common with Ariane 5 (fire, toxic vapours, gas
detection, surveillance)
Sub systems are certified by the accredited organisms according to French
regulation
Same operational organisation as Ariane 5 (planning, operation sheets,
procedure approval, safety supervision)
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 32
Ground Segment Subsystems
Vega control room in CDL 3
He N2 fluid panel
Vega control command bench
Mobile Gantry
N204 Room
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 33
The Vehicle/Ground Segment
Combined Tests Campaign
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 34
The LV / GS Combined Tests
The Combined tests campaign is the last test campaign during which the
Vehicle and the Ground Segment are operated together for the first time.
The vehicle is representative in its definition and mass (Inert Static Vehicle)
LV Integration and LV/GS system mechanical tests
Verification of vehicle integration and interfaces (including off
nominal operations)
Verification system behavior (anti vortex shedding, thermal)
Verification of 4th stage propellant loading and downloading
operations
Verification of payload preparation, transfer and integration
LV Electrical controls and Control Bench automatic procedures
for operational qualification
Vega Electrical Simulator validation
Pre Validation of Operational procedures in Europe
Validation of Operational procedures in French Guiana with the
Control Bench
Launch Vehicle electrical integration and control (as part of AIT ops)
Launch Chronology and Count Down Sequence
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 35
Combined Tests Status
with Payload Composite
Combined test specimen is under preparation for the
4th stage (AVUM) propellant loading/downloading
campaign.
Nest steps:
Ground Segment Operational Readiness
Qualification Launch Campaign
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 36
VEGA Reviews
A process of reviews with the participation of independent experts has been put
in place at unit levels, Launch Vehicle (LV) level, Ground Segment level and
Launch System (LS) level:
Conceptual Reviews 1999
Preliminary Design Reviews (LV) 2001
LV System Design Review 2004
LS Critical Design Reviews 2007
S/S Qualification Reviews 2010
First Article Configuration Reviews within 2nd Quarter 2011
LS Ground Qualification Review September 2011
Operational Readiness Review September 2011
Flight Readiness Review October 2011
Launch Readiness Review: FRR + 49 Days
Flight Qualification Review Launch + 6 months
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 37
VEGA Development Status
Remaining Activities up to the Flight
Completion of the Launch System qualification
Roll & Attitude Control System qualification (July 2011)
HWIL Test campaign completion & Flight Software Qualification (August 2011)
Completion of the Combined Tests campaign (September 2011)
Operational Readiness Review
Launch System Ground Qualification Review closeout September 2011
Maiden flight launch campaign
Flight Readiness Review planned on middle October
49 days launch campaign
Payload availability in Kourou on October
Launch slot starting middle December 2011
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 38
Maiden Flight
The qualification flight mission has been defined considering the passengers
needs, the qualification objectives and the safety constraints.
Orbit: 1450 km circular End of mission parking orbit: 350 x 1450 km
Inclination: 69
Payloads total mass: 700 kg
LARES
The main passenger of the mission is the LARES (400 kg) developed by ASI
(satellite laser ranging experiment).
Educational payloads (Almasat 1 & Cubesats) as secondary passengers.
The upper composite is extensively instrumented
Almasat
Cubesat
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 39
Notes
THANK YOU
Agostino NERI
Vehicle Principal Engineer
agostino.neri@esa.int
VEGA: Final Preparation for Qualification Flight | AIAA JPC 2011 | San Diego, CA | 04/08/11 | VEGA IPT | Pag. 40
