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ESA Completes Important Step Toward Vega Launcher

Posted by timothy on from the like-capsela dept.

Sven-Erik writes "ESA is reporting that 'An important step forward has just been made in the development of ESA's Vega launcher. After several months' work at the Guiana Propellant Plant at Europe's Spaceport the inert casting of the main Vega motor has been successfully carried out.' The 30-meter tall Vega launcher will be capable of placing a 1.5 ton payload into polar orbit, and it is scheduled for its first launch in 2006 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, where the Ariane 1 launch facilities are being adapted for its use. It will be a perfect complement to ESA's large Ariane 5 and the medium-classed Soyuz."

3 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. Why? by tsotha · · Score: 0, Troll
    There really isn't any shortage of small-payload launchers. In fact, there's a glut. It doesn't make any sense to develop yet another one. The whole market is depressed.

    Customers are actually pushing the envelope on the other end. Maybe a 25 ton launcher...

    1. Re:Why? by sander · · Score: 0, Troll

      Energia exists only in the same sense that Staurn V - somebody still has the plans. The hangar sitter is a bout as much a usable launcher as the 2-3 display copies of staurn v. nice to look at but not usable to launch anything.

    2. Re:Why? by sander · · Score: 0, Troll

      no, the equipment is not available either. Evevn if there was a factory full of equipment set aside for future energia production (there isn't) you would still essentialy need to start from scratch - and aremuch better off starting from scratch.

      Besides - NASA didn't manufacture Starun V-s.