Zefiro-40 test fire for Vega-C

Second test firing of Zefiro-40 on 3 October 2024.

A redesigned Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor, the second stage of the Vega-C rocket, was successfully fired for the second time by prime contractor Avio at its Salto di Quirra test facility in Sardinia, Italy. This second firing follows from a first firing test  of the motor in May 2024 and concludes the qualification tests for the improved engine nozzle design of the Zefiro-40.

Engineers are analysing the motor’s performance, with the initial post-test review indicating that the new nozzle assembly and the motor performed as expected.

Whereas the first test in May was performed under high operating pressure and with a short burning time, today’s test was conducted at a low operating pressure and burnt for longer, as expected and according to the test predictions.  The two firings are standard procedure when preparing solid-fuel rocket motors for operations, allowing Vega-C to be launched by the end of 2024.

Zefiro-40 is a 7.6 m tall rocket motor, loaded with over 36 tonnes of solid propellant, and just one of three solid-propulsion stages that are used by Vega-C. For this test the motor was installed on its horizontal test bench. Zefiro-40 is developed and manufactured by Avio in their Colleferro factory near Rome, Italy.