VEGA - A NEW LOW-COST APPROACH FOR A LIGHTSAT LAUNCHER

The modular Vega Launcher Family is being developed for dedicated and multiple launches of lightsats. The concept of Vega's most powerful ve rsion, the Vega ''K3'', is based on a three-stage design which utilize s solid rocket motors (SRM) for each stage to achieve a low cost famil y of reliable launch vehicles. Nominal Vega ''K3'' payload delivery ca pability is around 600 kg to a 700 km circular, polar orbit. The usefu l payload accommodation volume is approximately 11 m(3). The Vega desi gn is based on the well-known and reliable architecture where the thre e main stages are stacked one on top of another. The SRM cases are fab ricated using composite materials based on filament winding technology . The first two stages are equipped with thrust vector control (TVC) s ystems and the needed electric and pyrotechnic units. The vehicle equi pment bay (VEE) is located directly above the third stage and includes the Vega guidance, navigation and control system (GNC), hydrazine att itude control (ACS) system and the telemetry and safety systems. A pay load fairing, with an outer 2.4 m diameter, is mounted around and abov e the VEE. The Vega launch vehicle family is based on a resign-to-cost process, where the cost is the primary driver. Performance is traded with the cost requirements to provide a cost effective launch solution . The paper describes the general history of the small launcher develo pment in Italy which has led to the current Vega family concept. The c urrent Vega configurations are described with emphasis on the launcher design-to-cost philosophy, performance and safety and operations scen arios. Copyright (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd