The latest hot firing of the P120C solid-propellant motor at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana proves its flight-worthiness for use on Vega-C next year and on Ariane 6 from 2020.
This marks an important milestone in the development schedule of Europe's new-generation launchers, designed to boost our autonomy in the space arena, and maintain Europe's global competitiveness.
The test lasted 140 seconds with the motor delivering a maximum thrust of 4650 kN, simulating the complete burn time from liftoff and through the first phase of flight.
No anomalies were seen and the performance met expectations, though full analysis will take several months.
The P120C is 13.5 m long and 3.4 m in diameter and is made using a carbon composite material and built in one segment. It will replace the current P80 as the first stage motor of Vega-C. Two or four P120Cs will be strapped onto Ariane 6 as boosters for liftoff.
This test was a collaboration between ESA, France's CNES space agency, and Europropulsion under contract to Avio and ArianeGroup.
The next static firing will occur at the end of this year with the P120C qualification motor.
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Indian space agency IRSO tests new engine to launch bigger payloads
New Delhi (Sputnik) Jul 17, 2018
On Sunday the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully conducted a ground test of its high-thrust version of the Vikas Engine that will enhance payload capability of the space agency's launch vehicles. The test, which lasted for 195 seconds, was conducted at ISRO's Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. "This ground test has validated the performance adequacy of the Vikas Engine for its use in the upcoming second developmental flight of GS ... read more
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