Another successful debut: First ever Vega flight with new RUAG payload fairing, manufactured out of autoclave
Kourou, French-Guyana, 2 August 2017. The two satellites on last night’s Vega flight VV10 were enveloped by a payload fairing – manufactured in a faster and more cost-efficient process in Emmen, Switzerland.
Last night, at 10:58:33 p.m. local time, Vega flight VV10 started from the launch pad in Kourou. On the top of the rocket, protecting the two satellites, debuted a RUAG Space payload fairing, which was manufactured out of autoclave. This advanced process was now for the first time applied for the payload fairing of a Vega rocket – after having succeeded initially on an Ariane 5 only five weeks ago. The new procedure reduces both throughput time and cost – thereby allowing for a higher delivery volume and flexibility.
Peter Guggenbach, CEO of RUAG Space, commented: “The out-of-autoclave process is very advanced, as it responds to the needs of today’s space industry. Shorter lead times, less cost, flexible adjustments and higher delivery sequence – this is our contribution to make access to space more affordable.”
With this advanced process, RUAG consolidates its position as the global leader in carbon structures for launch vehicles. In order to run it, RUAG has invested in a state-of-the-art manufacturing hall in Emmen, Switzerland. Relying on tailor-made machinery and automated processes, the new composite centre was inaugurated in 2016.
The carbon-fibre based payload fairing consists of two half-shells, which separate in space. These shells are newly cured in an industrial oven instead of an autoclave. This requires less energy, and – thanks to its size – the industrial oven can cure an entire half-shell in one piece. The costly and time-consuming vertical integration of individual shell elements can be avoided. Overall, the Vega payload fairing is 7.8 meter high, and has a diameter of 2.6 meter at its largest point. Due to the out-of-autoclave manufacturing approach the fairing is around 70 kg lighter as the original fairing, cured in an autoclave.
