European Space Agency (THIS) and the Italian company Avio signed a contract to develop the concept of a reusable upper stage for future versions of the Vega rocket or other European launch vehicles.
The agreement was concluded 29 September during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Its cost is 40 millions of euros, and the validity period is two years. Development of key technologies in the field of engines and re-entry systems is expected, as well as the general design of the new degree.
By design, the initiative has a two-fold effect: in the short term, it will help improve the Vega family of missiles, in particular, the Vega E modification, which will receive a new cryogenic upper stage instead of the third and fourth Vega C units. In the long term, the development lays the foundation for full reusability in European space programs.
The project is considered as an addition to the European Launcher Challenge initiative, which stimulates the development of new media by European startups. A large part of these concepts involves the use of multiple lower stages, while Avio and ESA are working on a variant with the top.
This is not the first attempt in Europe to create a multiple upper degree. IN 2022 ArianeGroup presented the Susie concept in 2015 (Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration) for the Ariane rocket 64. Susie would be able to return from orbit, and also perform the functions of cargo or manned aircraft. In November 2023 2018, the company announced the start of testing a demo sample on a reduced scale, however, since then there has been virtually no new information on the progress of the project.
Source: https://spacenews.com