New space contracts for Avio Spa, the Colleferro-based company that produces the Vega rocket, the small-sized European launcher. The company announced the signing of several contracts for the launch of four satellites and two small satellites. The contracts were signed by Arianespace, the French company that sells the launches of Vega and other European launchers (the French Ariane and the Russian Soyuz). After the announcement, Avio shares rose by more than 3%, around 12.30 the share is at € 11.80 (+ 2.61%).
Contracts with Asi for Platinum satellites
“At the end of an intense year 2021 marked by 3 successful Ariane missions and 3 successful Vega missions completed in about 6 months, Avio announces the signing by Arianespace of new launch contracts for Vega C, whose maiden flight is expected for May 2022, ”announced the company. In particular, between the end of December 2021 and the beginning of January 2022, a contract was signed with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for the launch of the Platino 1 and Platino 2 satellites between 2022 and 2024. Platino is an advanced lightweight satellite platform entirely developed and produced in Italy.
Esa and Cnes
In addition, the launch contracts for Microcarb and Ness have been signed with ESA, the European Space Agency and Cnes, the French Space Agency. «Microcarb is a micro-satellite for measuring the absorption and release of Co2 into the atmosphere. Ness is a nanosatellite for a demonstration mission for the surveillance of the spectrum of civilian radio frequencies from jamming activities ». They too will be brought into orbit by Vega C.
1 Satellite Flex e Higher
Finally, contracts have been signed with the European Space Agency for the Flex and Altius satellites for launch by 2025. Flex will provide vegetation fluorescence mapping services to monitor carbon cycles and agricultural activities also for food safety. while Altius will monitor the state of the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere. «These missions _ the company says _ also highlight on the one hand the suitability of Vega C to satisfy a wide range of customer needs, and on the other the commitment of Avio towards sustainability and the improvement of life on earth through the most innovative space applications ».
New development contract
Furthermore, Avio signed a new development contract for Vega C with ESA in December 2021 for a total value of approximately 50 million euros. This program will allow further optimization of technology and industrial rationalization for Vega C, with a consequent improvement in cost competitiveness.