Vega - Europe's Newest Rocket

More detail here.

Analysis of the telemetry from the mission, along with data from the production of the vehicle, led them to conclude that cables to two thrust vector control actuators were inverted. Commands intended to go to one actuator went instead to the other, triggering the loss of control.
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spacenews.com

Human error blamed for Vega launch failure

Arianespace executives said Nov. 17 that the failure of a Vega launch the previous day was caused when the rocket’s upper stage tumbled out of control due to incorrectly installed cables in a contr…
spacenews.com spacenews.com
 
Flyaway said:
Apparently this is the ninth failure of the year which represents a spike in failures. Offset against this was the fact that a number of these involved new launchers.
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By "ninth failure," you're talking about the total number of failed space launch attempts by all providers, right?
 
TomS said:
Flyaway said:
Apparently this is the ninth failure of the year which represents a spike in failures. Offset against this was the fact that a number of these involved new launchers.
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By "ninth failure," you're talking about the total number of failed space launch attempts by all providers, right?
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Correct.
 
Well the VV22 flight just went tits up:


It would appear to be a combination of some sort of problem with the second-stage AND failure of the rocket's guidance-system, the two satellites have clearly been destroyed in a powered destructive reentry.
 
NMaude said:
Well the VV22 flight just went tits up:


It would appear to be a combination of some sort of problem with the second-stage AND failure of the rocket's guidance-system, the two satellites have clearly been destroyed in a powered destructive reentry.
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That is bad news for Vega, any news as to what mission the satellites were being launched for?
 
SciNews put out a short video about the VV22 launch failure six hours ago:


For Arianespace’s VV22 mission, a Vega-C launch vehicle launched the Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 satellites into Sun-synchronous orbit, from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on 21 December 2022, at 01:47 UTC (20 December, at 22:47 local time). Due to a problem with the second stage, the mission did not reach the intended orbit. Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 (1977 kg) were the two final satellites of the Pléiades Neo Earth observation constellation. Credit: Arianespace VV22 #VegaC
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Archibald said:
What's wrong with that booster ?
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There appears to have been some problem in under-performance maybe due to a manufacturing defect however the descending trajectory continued after S2 burnout and separation followed by the S3 burn and assuming it was burning nominally there would appear to have been a major malfunction of the rocket's guidance-system.
 
martinbayer said:
Archibald said:
Drats, not the first time VEGA has a bad day. What's wrong with that booster ?
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What's wrong with using solids?
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Vega has three solid stages and a liquid upper stage. It sounds like the issues arose somewhere with the solids.

You really need liquid for that last stage because you need to be able to restart the motor for putting multiple payloads into specific orbits.
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1605596754140872707
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1605596754140872707


In a press briefing about last night’s Vega C failure, Pierre Yves Tissier, Arianespace CTO, says there was progressive loss of pressure in the Z-40 second stage motor starting 7 seconds after ignition. Pressure then dropped suddenly at T+208 seconds.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1605595583044935681
View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1605595583044935681


Arianespace and ESA appoint an independent inquiry commission following the loss of the Vega C last night.
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Updates - Arianespace

www.arianespace.com www.arianespace.com

Flight VV22 failure: Arianespace and ESA appoint an independent inquiry commission
Press Release for Immediate Release
21.12.2022

Arianespace announced early today the failure of Flight VV22 carrying Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 satellites.

The Vega-C launch vehicle lifted off as scheduled on 20 December at 22:47 local time in French Guiana (03:47 CET/02:47 GMT, 21 December).. The lift-off, the mission and the separation of the first stage (P120C) were nominal. Following the nominal ignition of the second stage's (Zefiro 40) engine around 144 seconds after lift-off, a decrease in the pressure was observed leading to the premature end of the mission. Under standard procedure, the order of destruction of the launcher was given by CNES, the launch safety authority; no damage to persons or properties occurred.

Arianespace and ESA immediately decided to appoint an independent inquiry commission. This commission is tasked with analysing the reasons for the failure and defining the measures fulfilling all requisite safety and reliability conditions to allow the resumption of Vega-C flights. Composed of independent experts, the commission will work with Avio, Vega-C launch system prime contractor.

The inquiry commission is co-chaired by ESA's Inspector General and the Arianespace Chief Technical Officer. More information will be shared as soon as the Commission will have progressed in its investigations.
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Flyaway said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1605596754140872707
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1605596754140872707


In a press briefing about last night’s Vega C failure, Pierre Yves Tissier, Arianespace CTO, says there was progressive loss of pressure in the Z-40 second stage motor starting 7 seconds after ignition. Pressure then dropped suddenly at T+208 seconds.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1605595583044935681
View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1605595583044935681


Arianespace and ESA appoint an independent inquiry commission following the loss of the Vega C last night.
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Updates - Arianespace

www.arianespace.com www.arianespace.com

Flight VV22 failure: Arianespace and ESA appoint an independent inquiry commission
Press Release for Immediate Release
21.12.2022

Arianespace announced early today the failure of Flight VV22 carrying Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 satellites.

The Vega-C launch vehicle lifted off as scheduled on 20 December at 22:47 local time in French Guiana (03:47 CET/02:47 GMT, 21 December).. The lift-off, the mission and the separation of the first stage (P120C) were nominal. Following the nominal ignition of the second stage's (Zefiro 40) engine around 144 seconds after lift-off, a decrease in the pressure was observed leading to the premature end of the mission. Under standard procedure, the order of destruction of the launcher was given by CNES, the launch safety authority; no damage to persons or properties occurred.

Arianespace and ESA immediately decided to appoint an independent inquiry commission. This commission is tasked with analysing the reasons for the failure and defining the measures fulfilling all requisite safety and reliability conditions to allow the resumption of Vega-C flights. Composed of independent experts, the commission will work with Avio, Vega-C launch system prime contractor.

The inquiry commission is co-chaired by ESA's Inspector General and the Arianespace Chief Technical Officer. More information will be shared as soon as the Commission will have progressed in its investigations.
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Good to see that there is going to be an official investigation into the tragic loss of the Vega and the two satellites, let's see what happens when we get the results should be interesting.
 
I don't know why they even bothered activating the flight termination system as it was already far out into the Atlantic well away from any inhabited areas and shipping lanes with its trajectory being a destructive reentry.
 
TomS said:
martinbayer said:
Archibald said:
Drats, not the first time VEGA has a bad day. What's wrong with that booster ?
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What's wrong with using solids?
Click to expand...

Vega has three solid stages and a liquid upper stage. It sounds like the issues arose somewhere with the solids.
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That was really the point that I was ironically (if apparently unsuccessfully) trying to make. Solids are perfectly fine for fireworks that are meant to explode in a spectacular fashion anyway, but if you want to put anything of value on top of them, let alone humans, I would urgently recommend you to seek professional help. Think Challenger disaster. My best understanding is that due to European aerospace politics and that wretched geographical distribution principle Italy and its solid rocket industry was thrown a tasty bone with Vega, engineering principles be damned.
 
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That was really the point that I was ironically (if apparently unsuccessfully) trying to make.
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I kept quiet and let others burn themselves. Sick SOB, I am. :D:D:D
Mostly agree otherwise. Solids are ruthless bastards, just ask Ares 1. And not only Italy, but France as well. Pork barrel, unfortunately - not as dismal as SLS, but still pretty ugly.
 
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martinbayer said:
TomS said:
martinbayer said:
Archibald said:
Drats, not the first time VEGA has a bad day. What's wrong with that booster ?
Click to expand...
What's wrong with using solids?
Click to expand...

Vega has three solid stages and a liquid upper stage. It sounds like the issues arose somewhere with the solids.
Click to expand...
That was really the point that I was ironically (if apparently unsuccessfully) trying to make. Solids are perfectly fine for fireworks that are meant to explode in a spectacular fashion anyway, but if you want to put anything of value on top of them, let alone humans, I would urgently recommend you to seek professional help. Think Challenger disaster. My best understanding is that due to European aerospace politics and that wretched geographical distribution principle Italy and its solid rocket industry was thrown a tasty bone with Vega, engineering principles be damned.
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Whoops, sorry I misread you.
 
After lates news ESA try to figure out what happen
Fact is that second stage lost dramatic pressure after ignition
Two possibly, one they lost entire nozzle during ignition or burn true in hull of second stage.

I think they lost the nozzle, its match better the data
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1617439104836190209
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1617439104836190209


ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says he expects the investigation into last month's Vega C launch failure to wrap up on the second half of February. Return to flight as soon as possible but acknowledges need for deep analysis of quality issues with vehicle.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1617441919721676805
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1617441919721676805


Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA director of space transportation, says that because the Vega C failure involves it second stage, it may be possible to return to flight first with Vega (which uses a different second stage) before Vega C.
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Flyaway said:
Avio's Giulio Ranzo says he can't go into details about Vega C accident investigation, but that report should be released soon. Confirms it is a problem with the second stage, which could allow earlier return to flight of the original Vega (which uses a different stage.)
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1623129301582327813
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1623129301582327813
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Interesting that it was the second stage of the Vega C rocket that had the problem, let's wait and see what happens after the investigation.
 
https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_...dent_Enquiry_Commission_announces_conclusions

N° 7–2023: Loss of flight VV22: Independent Enquiry Commission announces conclusions

3 March 2023

On Tuesday 20 December 2022, Arianespace announced the loss of the Vega-C VV22 mission after its launch at 22h47 local time in French Guiana (2h47 CET/1h47 GMT on 21 December 2022). The mission was carrying two payloads, Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 Earth observation satellites for Airbus Defence and Space.

Arianespace (the launch service provider) and the European Space Agency (ESA – the launch system development authority) immediately set up an Independent Enquiry Commission, which concluded that after the nominal functioning of the Vega-C first stage P120C and nominal ignition of the second stage (Zefiro 40), a progressive decrease in the chamber pressure was observed 151 seconds after lift-off, leading to the loss of the mission.

Initial investigations, conducted right after the launch with the available flight data, confirmed that the launcher’s sub-systems reacted to the events as designed, and that the cause of the failure was a gradual deterioration of the Zefiro 40’s nozzle. More precisely, the Commission confirmed that the cause was an unexpected thermo-mechanical over-erosion of the carbon-carbon (C-C) throat insert of the nozzle, procured by Avio in Ukraine. Additional investigations led to the conclusion that this was likely due to a flaw in the homogeneity of the material.

The anomaly also revealed that the criteria used to accept the C-C throat insert were not sufficient to demonstrate its flightworthiness. The Commission has therefore concluded that this specific C-C material can no longer be used for flight. No weakness in the design of Zefiro 40 has been revealed. Avio is implementing an immediate alternative solution for the Zefiro 40’s nozzle with another C-C material, manufactured by ArianeGroup, already in use for Vega’s Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 nozzles.

Considering the nature of the VV22 anomaly, the Commission emphasizes that its conclusions on Zefiro 40 do not affect the Vega launcher which is relying on the Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 motors. In this context, Arianespace decided to adapt its launch schedule to reassign a mission to one of its two remaining Vega launchers with a targeted launch date before the end of summer 2023.

The Independent Enquiry Commission has formulated a series of recommendations aiming at restoring confidence in the Vega and Vega-C launcher systems through the establishment of robust recovery plans to ensure a reliable return to flight and robust commercial exploitation.

The main strands of work based on the recommendations are:

* To complement the findings of the Commission with additional testing and analysis in order to ensure the robustness of the qualification of the alternative C-C material selected for Zefiro 40;

* To implement an additional qualification phase of the Zefiro 40 engine with the alternative C-C material;

* To implement a set of actions, aiming at guaranteeing a long-term reliable and sustainable launcher production.

A task force steered by ESA and Arianespace has started implementing the roadmap proposed by the Commission and will thoroughly follow the implementation of the actions by Vega’s prime contractor Avio, in order to ensure a reliable and robust return to flight of Vega-C. The targeted launch date is end of 2023.

ESA, as launch system qualification authority, Arianespace, as launch service provider and Avio, as design authority and prime contractor of the Vega launcher, will join their efforts to achieve the common objective of a robust exploitation of the Vega launch system, for the benefit of their institutional and commercial customers.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said: "The Independent Enquiry Commission stands for ESA’s commitment to the highest safety standards. It has drawn a set of recommendations that once implemented should ensure a robust, reliable return to flight of the Vega-C launcher.

ESA will fully engage its engineering and project management expertise to support Avio in the implementation of actions required to regain confidence in the launcher system. Restoring Europe’s independent access to space is ESA’s priority, and I am therefore glad that we can proceed with Vega launch campaigns while preparing Vega-C to safely return to flight."

“Thanks to their hard work, the members of the Commission have identified the immediate cause of the loss of the mission VV22 and of its lessons learnt, and proposed the relevant corrective actions,” said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. “Their recommendations already are under implementation by Avio, under the supervision of Arianespace and ESA, in order to allow a successful return to flight of Vega-C and to guarantee its continuous reliability.”
 
If you wanted to be uncharitable you might say Avio’s penny pinching contributed to the failure, see below.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1631590674679070721
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1631590674679070721


Avio’s Giulio Ranzo says the company selected the carbon-carbon material from Ukraine during the Vega C design effort (2015-17) after concluding existing European suppliers could not provide material in sufficient quantities. "Substantial" testing found no inadequacy with it.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1631592506562363392
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1631592506562363392


Giovanni Colangelo, co-chair of the independent inquiry, said the carbon-carbon material used in Vega C qualification testing and inaugural flight was better than required, so no erosion issues. Material for failed VV22 material was "exactly in line" with specs; it failed.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1631593074135638016
View: https://twitter.com/dutchsatellites/status/1631593074135638016


Ranzo's statement is only partially correct. There were European suppliers that could provide C-C in sufficient quantities. Just not at the price level sought by Avio.
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Flyaway said:
https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_...dent_Enquiry_Commission_announces_conclusions

N° 7–2023: Loss of flight VV22: Independent Enquiry Commission announces conclusions

3 March 2023

On Tuesday 20 December 2022, Arianespace announced the loss of the Vega-C VV22 mission after its launch at 22h47 local time in French Guiana (2h47 CET/1h47 GMT on 21 December 2022). The mission was carrying two payloads, Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 Earth observation satellites for Airbus Defence and Space.

Arianespace (the launch service provider) and the European Space Agency (ESA – the launch system development authority) immediately set up an Independent Enquiry Commission, which concluded that after the nominal functioning of the Vega-C first stage P120C and nominal ignition of the second stage (Zefiro 40), a progressive decrease in the chamber pressure was observed 151 seconds after lift-off, leading to the loss of the mission.

Initial investigations, conducted right after the launch with the available flight data, confirmed that the launcher’s sub-systems reacted to the events as designed, and that the cause of the failure was a gradual deterioration of the Zefiro 40’s nozzle. More precisely, the Commission confirmed that the cause was an unexpected thermo-mechanical over-erosion of the carbon-carbon (C-C) throat insert of the nozzle, procured by Avio in Ukraine. Additional investigations led to the conclusion that this was likely due to a flaw in the homogeneity of the material.

The anomaly also revealed that the criteria used to accept the C-C throat insert were not sufficient to demonstrate its flightworthiness. The Commission has therefore concluded that this specific C-C material can no longer be used for flight. No weakness in the design of Zefiro 40 has been revealed. Avio is implementing an immediate alternative solution for the Zefiro 40’s nozzle with another C-C material, manufactured by ArianeGroup, already in use for Vega’s Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 nozzles.

Considering the nature of the VV22 anomaly, the Commission emphasizes that its conclusions on Zefiro 40 do not affect the Vega launcher which is relying on the Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 motors. In this context, Arianespace decided to adapt its launch schedule to reassign a mission to one of its two remaining Vega launchers with a targeted launch date before the end of summer 2023.

The Independent Enquiry Commission has formulated a series of recommendations aiming at restoring confidence in the Vega and Vega-C launcher systems through the establishment of robust recovery plans to ensure a reliable return to flight and robust commercial exploitation.

The main strands of work based on the recommendations are:

* To complement the findings of the Commission with additional testing and analysis in order to ensure the robustness of the qualification of the alternative C-C material selected for Zefiro 40;

* To implement an additional qualification phase of the Zefiro 40 engine with the alternative C-C material;

* To implement a set of actions, aiming at guaranteeing a long-term reliable and sustainable launcher production.

A task force steered by ESA and Arianespace has started implementing the roadmap proposed by the Commission and will thoroughly follow the implementation of the actions by Vega’s prime contractor Avio, in order to ensure a reliable and robust return to flight of Vega-C. The targeted launch date is end of 2023.

ESA, as launch system qualification authority, Arianespace, as launch service provider and Avio, as design authority and prime contractor of the Vega launcher, will join their efforts to achieve the common objective of a robust exploitation of the Vega launch system, for the benefit of their institutional and commercial customers.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said: "The Independent Enquiry Commission stands for ESA’s commitment to the highest safety standards. It has drawn a set of recommendations that once implemented should ensure a robust, reliable return to flight of the Vega-C launcher.

ESA will fully engage its engineering and project management expertise to support Avio in the implementation of actions required to regain confidence in the launcher system. Restoring Europe’s independent access to space is ESA’s priority, and I am therefore glad that we can proceed with Vega launch campaigns while preparing Vega-C to safely return to flight."

“Thanks to their hard work, the members of the Commission have identified the immediate cause of the loss of the mission VV22 and of its lessons learnt, and proposed the relevant corrective actions,” said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. “Their recommendations already are under implementation by Avio, under the supervision of Arianespace and ESA, in order to allow a successful return to flight of Vega-C and to guarantee its continuous reliability.”
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As a German/EU citizen living in the USA as an expat/guest worker, this bureaucratic CYA BS makes me cringe. At least I don't have to pay taxes for this wretched abomination...
 
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www.avio.com

ZEFIRO 40 FIRING TEST PRELIMINARY OUTCOME | Avio

Colleferro, 29 June 2023 – Yesterday a static firing test of the Zefiro 40 motor (second stage of the Vega C launcher) was performed according to schedule as one of the requirements linked to the return to flight of Vega C after the flight anomaly suffered on the last launch VV22 in December.
www.avio.com www.avio.com

ZEFIRO 40 FIRING TEST PRELIMINARY OUTCOME​


Colleferro, 29 June 2023 – Yesterday a static firing test of the Zefiro 40 motor (second stage of the Vega C launcher) was performed according to schedule as one of the requirements linked to the return to flight of Vega C after the flight anomaly suffered on the last launch VV22 in December.

Following the recommendation of the Independent Enquiry Commission on VV22, the test was performed to qualify the performance of the motor with a new carbon-carbon material for its nozzle throat. The conditions of the test were purposely set as extremely severe in terms of max motor operating pressure in order to demonstrate a large performance margin with a view to ensure maximum flight reliability.

Preliminary analysis of test results (to be further investigated in the following days/weeks before reaching definitive conclusions) allowed to reach the following results. The new carbon-carbon material showed a nominal performance, closely linked to prediction. However, after 40 seconds into the test, another anomaly was revealed, leading to a reduction in overall pressure performance of the motor before the test completion planned at 97 seconds. This aspect will require further investigation and testing activity to be conducted by Avio and the European Space Agency to ensure optimal performance conditions.

The Vega launcher is unaffected by the performance of Zefiro 40, which is specific to Vega C. Vega next launch remains planned for September. The planning for the return to flight of Vega C is currently under evaluation, pending further analysis and investigation as above mentioned. Avio remains anyway committed to leverage the Vega launcher while Vega C prepares to return to flight.
Avio will communicate further details as soon as more detailed analysis is complete.
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