Published 07/13/2022

Beyond Gravity announces maiden flight of Vega-C rocket, features CFRP composites

Vega-C replaces the current Vega rocket, comprising a CFRP payload fairing and payload adapter system, as well as a more intuitive onboard computer, all of which is produced at Beyond Gravity’s various production sites.

Edited by: Grace Stubbins

Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld and Products Finishing

Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space, Zürich, Switzerland) has delivered the composite payload fairing, the top of the new medium-lift European rocket Vega-C, which launches on July 13 for its inaugural flight. Beyond Gravity also produced the launcher computer and the Vampire payload adapter system, the latter of which also uses carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites.

Vega-C is scheduled to lift off from the European spaceport in Kourou, South America, launching the company’s “LARES 2” Laser Relativity satellite. The spherical satellite enables research into geodynamics and general relativity, Beyond Gravity says.

“The first flight of a new rocket is always a very special moment. We have delivered mission-critical products to the rocket with our payload fairing, our payload adapter system and the launcher’s onboard computer,” André Wall, CEO, Beyond Gravity, says. “Each product is customized for this new rocket and has new, enhanced features.” Vega-C replaces the current Vega rocket.

The top of the Vega-C rocket, the payload fairing, has a new design. “The fairing is larger than the fairing of the Vega rocket and can accommodate an additional payload mass of 800 kilograms,” Holger Wentscher, senior vice president, Launchers at Beyond Gravity, explains. “Additionally, our fairing includes state-of-the-art technologies that make it more versatile than its predecessor.” This also results in reduced launch costs per kilogram, the company says.

The two halves of the Beyond Gravity payload fairings for Vega-C (left) and the “Vampire” payload adapter system from Beyond Gravity (right) in a cleanroom in Kourou. Photo Credit: Beyond Gravity

The ogive-shaped fairing at the top of Vega-C protects the satellites from thermal, acoustic and aerodynamic environment at launch and on the ascent to space. The 9-meter-high fairing with a diameter of 3.3 meters was produced at Beyond Gravity’s site in Emmen, Switzerland. The fairing is made of CFRP composites that were cured in an industrial oven. All payload fairings for any European rocket are said to comes from Beyond Gravity and this production facility.

Vega-C can be used for one, two or more payloads (satellites) per launch. To place a larger single satellite into space, Vega-C uses a payload adapter system called “Vampire.” “We have developed a new design for this adapter, which makes it possible to utilize the maximum performance of the Vega-C launcher. Our adapter makes sure, that the satellite is safely placed into orbit with [the] highest precision,” stresses Wentscher. All payload adapters and separations system from Beyond Gravity are produced at its site in Linköping, Sweden. The Vampire adapter will be used for single large payloads and can be used in combination with smaller payloads on the SSMS (Small Spacecraft Mission Service) multiple payload dispenser.

Moreover, during flight, the Vega-C launcher is controlled by an onboard computer (“brain”) from Beyond Gravity. “We have developed a new and improved version of our onboard computer, which is smaller, lighter and more cost efficient,” Wentscher says. The launcher onboard computer is being built at Beyond Gravity’s site in Gothenburg. Beyond Gravity also provided all computers for the Vega rockets.

About Vega-C

Vega-C is a four-stage rocket about 35 meters high with a mass at liftoff of 210 tons. It is able to place about 2,200 kilograms in a reference 700-kilometer polar orbit. Beyond Gravity says this will meet the needs of institutions and industry in Europe and worldwide. Using a range of payload carriers, Vega-C will be able to accommodate cargo of different shapes and sizes ranging from multiple small satellites as small as one kilogram up to a single large payload. After the inaugural flight, Vega-C will be operated by Arianespace (Évry-Courcouronnes, France), which also ensures the commercialization and launch schedule management of the launcher.