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P120C
The P120C is a solid-fuel rocket motor developed for use as the first stage of the Vega-C launch vehicle and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 6. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P120C" reflects key characteristics of the motor: "P" stands for ''poudre'' (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "120" denoted the original target of 120 tonnes of propellant (later increased to nearly 142 tonnes); and "C" signifies its ''common'' use across multiple launch systems. As of July 2022, the P120C is the world's largest and most powerful single-piece solid-fuel rocket motor, surpassing the earlier P80FW used on the original Vega launcher. Development and Testing Initially, production of the P120C was planned to be divided between Avio's main facility in Italy and MT Aerospace in Germany. However, in 2018, ESA decided to consolidate production entirely in Italy, wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ariane 6
Ariane 6 is a European expendable launch system developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) and manufactured by a consortium of European companies, led by the prime contractor ArianeGroup. As part of the Ariane rocket family, it is operated by Arianespace, replacing the Ariane 5. The project's primary contributors were France (55.3%), Germany (21%) and Italy (7.6%), with the remaining work distributed among ten other participating countries. This two-stage rocket utilizes liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen ( hydrolox) engines. The first stage features an upgraded Vulcain engine from Ariane 5, while the second uses the Vinci engine, designed specifically for this rocket. The Ariane 62 variant uses two P120C solid rocket boosters, while Ariane 64 uses four. The P120C booster is shared with Europe's other launch vehicle, and is an improved version of the P80 used on the original Vega. Selected in December 2014 over an all-solid-fuel alternative, Ariane 6 was initially ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vega-C
VegaC, or Vega Consolidation, is a European expendable, small-lift launch vehicle developed and produced by Avio. It is an evolution of the original Vega launcher, designed to offer greater launch performance and flexibility. Approved for development by the European Space Agency (ESA) in December 2014, VegaC was designed to accommodate larger institutional payloads and compete effectively in the commercial launch market. Initially marketed and operated by Arianespace, the ESA decided in August 2024 to empower Avio to directly commercialize VegaC and seek non-governmental customers. This transition is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025. VegaC, like its predecessor, is designed to launch small satellites for scientific and Earth observation missions to polar and sun-synchronous low Earth orbits. The reference VegaC mission places a spacecraft into a polar orbit, representing an or 60% increase over the original Vega. Named after Vega, the brightest star in the cons ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vega (rocket)
Vega (, , ) was a European expendable small-lift launch vehicle developed by Avio and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Designed to carry payloads between into low Earth and polar orbits, Vega served primarily scientific and Earth observation missions. Development of Vega began in 1998, with its maiden flight launched from the Guiana Space Centre on 13February 2012. Over the next decade, it became the eighth most launched small-lift launch vehicle history, though it struggled to compete in the commercial launch market. After initial success, two in-flight failures and rising competition from SpaceX's rideshare programs, which offered lower prices, relegated Vega to primarily serving European government agencies willing to pay more to support independent space access. The rocket took its name from Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra. It featured a single-body design without strap-on boosters, con ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
P80 (rocket Stage)
The P80FW is a retired solid-fuel rocket motor developed as the first stage of the Vega launch vehicle. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P80FW" reflected key characteristics of the motor: "P" stood for ''poudre'' (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "80" denoted the original target of 80 tonnes of propellant (later increased to 88 tonnes); and "FW" stood for ''filament wound'', indicating the one-piece carbon-fibre composite construction of the motor casing. Prior to its retirement, it was the world's most powerful monolithic solid rocket motor. History Development of the P80 began in 2005 led by the French space agency CNES, in collaboration with the ESA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The first static firing test was conducted at the Guiana Space Centre in November 2006, followed by qualification testing in December 2007. The P80 made its maide ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
P160C
The P160C is a solid-fuel rocket motor developed for use as the first stage of the Vega C+ mid-life upgrade, the next-generation Vega E, and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 6 Block 2 launch vehicles. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P160C" reflects key characteristics of the motor: "P" stands for ''poudre'' (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "160" denoted the original target of 160 tonnes of propellant (later increased to 167 tonnes); and "C" signifies its ''common'' use across multiple launch systems. The motor was developed largely in response to the increased lift performance requirements of Project Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite internet constellation. Compared to its predecessor, the P120C, the P160C adds an additional of solid propellant and is taller. The motor's casing is constructed as a single-piece carbon-fibre composite shell, making it one ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Avio
Avio S.p.A. is an Italian company operating in the aerospace sector with its head office in Colleferro near Rome, Italy. Founded in 1908, it is present in Italy and abroad with different commercial offices and 10 production sites. Avio operates in: *solid-propellant motors for space and tactical propulsion *electronic/electrical control and automation systems Avio is Prime Contractor for the new European launcher Vega and sub-contractor for the Ariane program, both financed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The company is active in the field of technological research. It carries out projects in collaboration with 14 Italian and 10 foreign universities and research centres, which are aimed at the continuous improvement of product and process technologies. It also undertakes the research of solutions in order to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft engines, in conformity with the objectives of consumption and emissions reduction dictated, within the European area, by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is a 23-member International organization, international organization devoted to space exploration. With its headquarters in Paris and a staff of around 2,547 people globally as of 2023, ESA was founded in 1975 in the context of European integration. Its 2025 annual budget was €7.7 billion. The ESA Human and Robotic Exploration programme includes human spaceflight (mainly through participation in the International Space Station programme); as well as the launch and operation of missions to Mars and Moon. Further activities include science missions to Jupiter, Mercury, the Sun, Earth observation, Asteroid impact avoidance and Telecommunications missions, designing launch vehicles; and maintaining Europe's Spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre at Kourou (French Guiana). Further programmes include space safety, satellite navigation, applications and commercialisation. The main European launch vehicle Ariane 6 is operated through Arianespace ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Solid-fuel Rocket
A solid-propellant rocket or solid rocket is a rocket with a rocket engine that uses Rocket propellant#Solid chemical propellants, solid propellants (fuel/oxidizer). The earliest rockets were solid-fuel rockets powered by gunpowder. The inception of gunpowder rockets in warfare can be credited to the ancient Chinese, and in the 13th century, the Mongols played a pivotal role in facilitating their westward adoption. All rockets used some form of solid or powdered propellant until the 20th century, when liquid-propellant rockets offered more efficient and controllable alternatives. Because of their simplicity and reliability, solid rockets are still used today in military armaments worldwide, model rockets, solid rocket boosters and on larger applications. Since solid-fuel rockets can remain in storage for an extended period without much propellant degradation, and since they almost always launch reliably, they have been frequently used in military applications such as missiles. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aluminium Powder
Aluminium powder is powdered aluminium. This was originally produced by mechanical means using a stamp mill to create flakes. Subsequently, a process of spraying molten aluminium to create a powder of droplets was developed by E. J. Hall in the 1920s. The resulting powder might then be processed further in a ball mill to flatten it into flakes for use as a coating or pigment. Aluminium powder features low density with high conductivity. Characteristics Powdered aluminium shares many of the physical characteristics of bulk aluminium such as its molecular weight of 26.981538 g mol−1, melting point of 660 °C, and a boiling point of 2460 °C. It combusts at a much faster rate to bulk aluminium, this is due to the fact that the gaps between the particles allow for more air and therefor faster oxidization. Usage * autoclave aerated concrete * cosmetic colourant * fingerprint powder * metallic paint * pyrotechnics (including the M-80 firecracker) * refractory * r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ammonium Perchlorate
Ammonium perchlorate ("AP") is an inorganic compound with the formula . It is a colorless or white solid that is soluble in water. It is a powerful oxidizer. Combined with a fuel, it can be used as a rocket propellant called ammonium perchlorate composite propellant. Its instability has involved it in accidents such as the PEPCON disaster. Production Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is produced by reaction between ammonia and perchloric acid. This process is the main outlet for the industrial production of perchloric acid. The salt also can be produced by salt metathesis reaction of ammonium salts with sodium perchlorate. This process exploits the relatively low solubility of NH4ClO4, which is about 10% of that for sodium perchlorate.Helmut Vogt, Jan Balej, John E. Bennett, Peter Wintzer, Saeed Akbar Sheikh, Patrizio Gallone "Chlorine Oxides and Chlorine Oxygen Acids" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH. AP crystallises as colorless rhombohedra. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ArianeGroup
ArianeGroup (formerly Airbus Safran Launchers) is an aerospace company based in France. A joint venture between Airbus and Safran, the company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris. It consists of three core groups: aerospace, defence, and security. ArianeGroup has developed its next-generation two-stage Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which succeeded the Ariane 5 rocket, that had more than 110 launches. The new vehicle offers two variants that will be capable of carrying between 10,350 and 21,650 Kilogram, kilograms. The first launch of Ariane 6 occurred on 9 July 2024. If the company's task is to develop and manufacture the launch vehicles, Arianespace acts as the launch service provider for them. Meanwhile, another subsidiary, ArianeWorks, is tasked with developing next-generation technologies such as the reusable Themis rocket booster. ArianeGroup also notably manufactures France's M51 (missile), M51 thermonuclear weapon, nuclear submarine-laun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
