The first composite casing of the new solid propellant engine P120C has been completed, which has recently successfully passed the mechanical and pressurization load tests at Avio di Colleferro plants. In recent weeks, this first model traveled to the European Space Base in Kourou, French Guiana, where, at present, Regulus (joint venture between Avio and Ariane Group) is in the process of preparing for inert propellant casting.
The P120C is the first stage engine common to the new generation of European launchers, Ariane 6 and Vega C, and is developed by Avio and Ariane Group through the Europropulsion joint venture. The P120C is the largest solid propulsion spacecraft made of a monolithic carbon fiber casing loaded with 142 tonnes of solid propellant. The first model of this new engine will be subjected to static benchmark fire tests in the 2018, according to the development plan for the first launch of Vega C in 2019 and Ariane 6 in 2020.