The maiden flight for Vega-C is planned to take place in June , and that for Ariane 6 in the second quarter of Solid progress is being made on both Vega-C and Ariane 6 development programmes. The VV16 launch campaign resumed in May but several further launch attempts were halted due to unfavourable weather. Between February and September no activities for the preparation of Vega-C were possible in the Vega mobile gantry while it housed the P80 solid rocket motor in readiness for flight VV16, due to safety constraints.
As from October, all the new solid motors for Vega-C have completed qualification testing. The Zefiro solid rocket motor for Vega-C completed qualification tests in The final test of the PC took place successfully on 7 October. Activities for the modification of the mobile gantry for Vega-C, such as modifications of the fluids networks as well as connection and installation of the new control bench for Vega-C, will have to start after VV18 now planned early February.
Vega-C is a project managed and funded by the European Space Agency. Avio is the industrial prime contractor. Arianespace commercialises Vega-C. ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup have jointly established a consolidated reference planning for Ariane 6 development and are working as an integrated team in their respective roles to make it happen.
This schedule is based on analysis of recent achievements, remaining critical milestones and the impact on the programme caused by the COVID pandemic. With the successful third static fire test of the PC solid rocket motor on 7 October, all the propulsion elements of the launcher system have completed their qualification tests.
Testing of the cryogenic arms that link the launch pad and the launch vehicle are also ongoing at Fos-sur-Mer in France, before shipping to French Guiana. ArianeGroup is completing the challenging development and qualification of the Ariane 6 Auxiliary Power Unit for the upper stage. This device will allow Europe to offer additional capabilities in satellite deployment for the satellite constellation market.
