Avio, an Italian aerospace company, has secured a contract to launch a satellite for an unidentified client outside of Europe. The deal, announced on May 20, will see Avio’s Vega C rocket used to deploy the satellite into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a type of polar orbit around Earth in which the satellite passes over any given point of the planet’s surface at the same local solar time.
The satellite will be launched from the Guiana Space Center, a French and European spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana. The Vega C rocket was chosen for its suitability for small and medium-sized payloads and its ability to reach a variety of orbits, including SSO. The Vega C, an upgraded version of the Vega rocket, has a payload capacity of 2,300 kilograms to SSO, an increase of 700 kilograms over its predecessor.
The launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2023. This timeframe suggests that the satellite may be relatively small and light, as larger, heavier satellites generally require more time for preparation and launch.
The identity of Avio’s client and the purpose of the satellite remain undisclosed. However, it is known that the customer is based outside of Europe and that this is the first time Avio has signed a contract with this entity.
Avio is the prime contractor for the Vega and Vega C rockets, which are part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) launcher fleet. The company is also involved in the development of the Vega E, a further evolution of the Vega rocket, and the Ariane 6, the next generation of the Ariane launch vehicle family. Both of these vehicles are expected to conduct their maiden flights in the near future.
The Vega C rocket’s first flight, originally scheduled for 2020, has been postponed several times due to various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the failure of a previous Vega mission. However, the rocket’s debut is now expected to take place in 2022.
Avio’s new contract is a positive development for the company, which has been working to expand its customer base and launch capabilities. The deal also highlights the global demand for satellite launch services, particularly for payloads that need to be placed into specific orbits like SSO. The growth of the small satellite market, driven by advancements in satellite technology and the increasing need for Earth observation and communication services, is expected to provide further opportunities for launch service providers like Avio.
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