The Ukrainian government claims that European investigators have concluded that a component belonging to a Ukrainian company was “prematurely” responsible for the failed Vega C launch last December. Ukraine’s State Space Agency said on March 6 that the results of an investigation published by the European Space Agency three days ago “cast a shadow on the reputation of Ukraine’s space industry”.

This investigation of the failed Vega C launch on December 20 concluded that a component in the nozzle of the rocket’s Zefiro-40 second-stage engine, called the throat insert, had worn more than expected. This caused a pressure drop and loss of thrust on the second stage, which doomed the launch.

Throat lining made of carbon material resistant to high temperatures, produced by the Ukrainian company “Pivdenne”. Testing this material during the run revealed a higher porosity not found in previous tests. This investigation concluded that the Southern component could no longer be used on the Zefiro-40, and Vega’s prime contractor, Avio, announced that it would instead use a component manufactured by ArianeGroup.

Ukraine’s State Space Agency said it “believes the results presented are premature and may require further research to determine if there were additional factors that led to the failure of Vega C.” Indicates that the components provided by “Southern” “fully meet the requirements”.

At a briefing on the investigation on March 3, officials acknowledged that the problem was how the attachments were tested. “The admission criteria were not correct,” said Giovanni Colangelo, ESA’s inspector general and co-chairman of the Independent Investigation Board. There were no problems during ground tests of the Zefiro-40 or the initial launch of the Vega C last July because the components exceeded requirements, the throat attachment used in the failed launch was “exactly within specifications”.

“Ukrainian experts who participated in and were given access to a certain part of the investigation submitted their assessments and recommendations, which are not objectively reflected in the conclusions of the Independent Commission of Inquiry,” the Ukrainian space agency said.

It asked ESA and related companies to “conduct additional analyzes and assessments that will take into account other potential factors and recommendations carefully proposed by Ukrainian experts”. He did not clarify the recommendations of Ukrainian experts.

He added that the results of the investigation “unfortunately leave no room for further discussion and tarnish the reputation of the Ukrainian space industry.”

The space industry, like other sectors of the Ukrainian economy, suffered significantly after the Russian invasion more than a year ago. Factories became targets of attacks as supply chains deteriorated.

“The Ukrainian space industry continues to value its image as a reliable partner in the world space market, even in wartime conditions, and makes every effort to support it by providing our international partners with timely services and high-quality products.” Ukrainian Space Agency reported.

At a briefing, Avio’s CEO, Giulio Ranzo, said that the problem with the throat attachment was not war-related, as it was produced before the invasion. But he suggested that previous production issues related to the pandemic could be the problem.

The throat insert isn’t the only Ukrainian ingredient in Vega C. The liquid-fueled upper part of the AVUM rocket uses an engine manufactured by Pivdenmash, and after the invasion, European officials said they were working to stockpile the engine and were considering alternatives. engine supply is cut off.

However, Ranzo said the Avio had no problems getting the AVUM engines. “During the war, the supply of AVUM continued as planned, so I can only thank the Ukrainian supplier for their commitment in a very, very difficult situation.”

Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA’s director of space transportation, said the agency is working for Vega to make it less reliant on suppliers outside of the agency’s member states. We “significantly increased the European content” of the rocket by finding European suppliers for components such as tanks and engines from the United States and Russia. According to him, the aim was to “produce a good European product based on European industrial suppliers”. Source