M10 hot-firing test 5 May 2022

The new M10 liquid oxygen/methane engine for Vega-E was successfully tested on 5 May 2022 at Avio's new Space Propulsion Test Facility (SPTF) at the Salto di Quirra range in Sardinia. The engine, developed by Avio, with a thrust class of 10 tons, is the first of its kind to be successfully tested in Europe. The M10 represents a new-generation green engine, realised with extensive use of additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technologies. The M10 engine is part of the development of ESA's Vega-E launcher, in preparation to succeed Vega-C from 2026.