ESA pours $107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane

• Italy’s space industry, notably Vega’s manufacturer Avio and Thales Alenia Space Italy, will both lead consortiums for Vega E and Space Rider, respectively.
• Avio’s contract for Vega E — short for Vega Evolution — is worth 53 million euros, and jumpstarts development of the new launcher alongside Vega C, which has yet to fly. The company will be working on both rockets concurrently, with Vega C holding to a 2019 maiden launch, and Vega E’s first flight projected in 2024. 

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