Vega rocket motor passes test
Posted: Fri, Dec 1, 2006, 7:29 AM ET (1229 GMT)
The solid rocket motor that will power the first stage of a new European launch vehicle successfully completed a static firing Thursday. The P80 motor fired for 115 seconds Thursday in a test at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The motor, the largest European mono-segment filament-wound case solid propellant motor ever developed, will be used on the first stage of the Vega small launch vehicle currently being developed by ESA. Additional tests of the P80 motor, as well as two smaller ones that will be used on the Vega's upper stages, are planned for 2007. The first Vega launch is scheduled for mid-2008.
The solid rocket motor that will power the first stage of a new European launch vehicle successfully completed a static firing Thursday. The P80 motor fired for 115 seconds Thursday in a test at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The motor, the largest European mono-segment filament-wound case solid propellant motor ever developed, will be used on the first stage of the Vega small launch vehicle currently being developed by ESA. Additional tests of the P80 motor, as well as two smaller ones that will be used on the Vega's upper stages, are planned for 2007. The first Vega launch is scheduled for mid-2008.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 11
Jet Propulsion Laboratory anticipating major cuts in NASA budget
KPCC-FM Pasadena, CA — 4:06 pm ET (2106 GMT) Satellites spot Syrian violence from space
Spaceflight Now — 4:05 pm ET (2105 GMT) One giant leap for former fast-food joint
Mountain View (CA) Voice — 4:04 pm ET (2104 GMT) Orion hoping for success with second generation parachute system
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 8:53 am ET (1353 GMT) Small company is sky-high
Santa Maria (CA) Times — 8:01 am ET (1301 GMT) |