Vega third stage

The Vega thrid stage, Zefiro 9, is derived from a 16 tonne solid rocket motor development (Zefiro 16) initiated by Avio SpA under contract to the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The Zefiro 16 motor has already cofmpleted 3 successful firing tests. The Zefiro 9 motor is composed of:

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