Here are the Pnrr funds that Avio will eat
Avio is awarded the first two contracts for the “Next Gen Eu” implementation for the European space launchers
Avio will receive 340 million euros from the NRP for the construction of two new eco-sustainable engines for access to space.
The leading Italian company in space propulsion that builds the Vega carrier has been awarded the first two contracts as part of the initiatives for the space industry for the implementation of the “Next Gen EU”.
In recent months, the Italian government has decided to invest around 340 million euros to enhance the technological capabilities of the Italian industry for access to space.
And last December the Interministerial Committee for the policies relating to space and aerospace research (Comint) had appointed the European Space Agency (ESA) as Contracting Authority under the supervision of the Presidency of the Council, the Italian Space Agency (Ai) and of the Mitd, as regards the programs relating to the field of earth observation and access to space, for a total amount of approximately 1.3 billion of the NRP.
“With these very important contracts Avio will be able to expand its capabilities with liquid-propelled new generation launchers far beyond Vega E, paving the way for greater competitiveness in the next decade. The in-flight demonstrator and a high thrust engine will be the key factors which, combined with a consolidated experience in systems and propulsion, will allow for enhanced flexibility and cost-effective products and solutions. Italy will therefore have full capabilities to answer every question for space launches and space transport ”commented the CEO of Avio ha Giulio Ranzo.
The goal – explains a note – is to leverage the skills developed in Italy since the early 2000s through the Vega, Vega C and Vega E programs for the development of new generation propulsion technologies and launch system architectures.
All the details.
THE FIRST PROGRAM DEDICATED TO A METHANE LAUNCHER DEMONSTRATOR
The first two contracts for orders to be spread over 4 years were signed yesterday, in the presence of the Minister for technological innovation, Vittorio Colao, the Director of Space Transport of ESA, Daniel Neuenschwander, and the CEO of Avio, Giulio Ranzo. (2023-26).
With these two contracts, two key development programs will begin.
The first, funded with 217.5 million euros upon its completion, will be dedicated to the development by 2026 of an in-flight demonstrator of new technologies and designs for a two-stage light-load launcher with liquid propellant propulsion with reduced engines. environmental impact of liquid oxygen and methane.
THE SECOND CONCERNS A NEW LIQUID OXYGEN AND METHANE ENGINE
The second program, financed with 120 million euros upon completion, is dedicated to the development of a new liquid oxygen and methane engine with reduced environmental impact and high thrust for a first qualification test on the ground by 2026.
For both development programs, Avio – reads the note – will be able to rely on the experience gained in the field of cryogenic liquid oxygen and methane propulsion. This began several years ago in cooperation with Asia and has recently led to the first successful ground test in Europe of this type of engine.
GREEN TECHNOLOGIES
Liquid oxygen and methane technologies, due to their cleaner combustion characteristics, are suitable for potential reuse. Furthermore, today they allow an extensive use of 3D printing manufacturing technologies for single material / single component. The initial orders, which cover the next months of work, have a total value of 11 million euros.
IN VIEW OF FUTURE SYSTEMS BEYOND VEGA E
The objective of the two projects is to prepare the ground for future space transport systems beyond Vega E, based on liquid propulsion with reduced environmental impact (potentially reusable).
“Vega is a strategic asset that contributes to freedom of action for Europe in space. With the upcoming inaugural flight of the Vega C, the preparation of the Vega E and now with the signing of these contracts, the next generation of versatile, competitive and increasingly environmentally conscious launch services will be offered to the market in the future. ESA, as the qualifying authority, supports a clear plan for the future of space transport services, ”commented Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA's Launcher Sector.
THE AMBITION OF AVIO
Therefore, Avio, as main contractor, will lead the projects. In the process it will be supported by an Italian industrial supply chain. As well as from research centers and Italian universities. In addition, the company led by Ranzo also intends to involve innovative start-ups and small / medium-sized enterprises to accelerate the development cycle.
At the same time, Avio recalls that at the beginning of the year it launched a hiring plan to strengthen Avio's talent pool in the engineering and industrial fields with highly qualified resources. To date, there are over 150 new hires, out of a total workforce of approximately 1,100 employees.
THE COMMENT OF EQUITA
Finally, Avio got off to a good start today in Piazza Affari (+ 1.5%) after the announcement of the allocation of over 300 million within the Pnrr. “It was well known that orders were coming from the PNRR. Although the effects are diluted over time, the size is very significant and increases the visibility of the estimates ”, writes Equita in the daily taken up by Reuters .
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/innovazione/ecco-i-fondi-pnrr-che-si-pappera-avio/ on Fri, 01 Jul 2022 05:49:36 +0000.