Vega second stage

The Vega second stage, Zefiro 23, is derived from a 16-tonne solid rocket motor development (Zefiro 16) initiated by Avio SpA under contract to the Italian Space Agency (ASI). This motor has already completed 3 successful firing tests. The Zefiro 23 is composed of:

• a 1.9 m diameter carbon epoxy filament wound case
• low denisty EPDM insulation
• HPTB 1912 composite propellant
• a nozzle based on a flexible joint technology
• a consumable igniter
• an electromechanical thrust vector control system