ESA Signs Contracts for Ariane 6, Vega C, Spaceport Upgrades

摘要

The European Space Agency on Aug. 12 signed contracts with industry and with the French space agency to produce an upgraded Vega small-satellite launcher for a launch in 2018 and the all-new Ariane 6 heavy-lift vehicle to debut in 2020. The contracts - which ESA said contain "ceiling commitments" on costs, with firm fixed-price versions to follow in 2016 -include substantial financial commitments by the industrial partners, which in return are given freedom to conduct their affairs as they see fit. Italy's ELV SpA, a joint venture of Avio (70 percent) and the Italian Space Agency (30 percent) that is Vega's current prime contractor, will lead development of the upgraded Vega C rocket in a contract valued at 395 million euros ($438 million). The figure includes the cost of an inaugural flight in 2018.