The European Space Agency has signed contracts with the ELV Co. tocomplete the development phase of the Vega European small launcher program and with FiatAvio to develop the P80 advanced solid propulsion stage and demonstrator. The contract values are 221 million euros ($238 million) for the Vega launcher and 40 million euros ($43 million) for the P80.

The Vega small launcher configuration consists of 3 solid stages–the P80 first, the Zefiro 23 second and the Zefiro 9 third–and an upper liquid propulsion module, called AVUM. Vega’s target lift capability is 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds), and it will inject its payload into a circular orbit at 700-kilometer (435-mile) altitude.