Differently from Vega and Vega C, Vega E will have a three stage configuration. The first two, P160 C and Zefiro 40 will be the same of Vega C. The upper stage will have a revolutionary engine which will burn liquid oxygen and methane. The rocket will be capable of releasing multiple satellites into different orbits during a single mission, maintaining the remarkable reliability and precision standards of the Vega family.

• Increased flexibility (performance compatible with over 90% of payload typologies) and enhanced operational versatility (performance compatible with over 70% of payload typologies in a multiple satellites launch) on the LEO market segment;
• The use of a new generation of “green” propellants.

To realize the MR10 engine, a European industrial team has been created with Italy (and AVIO) to lead an organization that involves companies from Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Austria and Romania.

The MR10 engine, first European Methane engine and stage, shall open the way to a new generation of launchers, Vega E, that have the objective to increase competitiveness of European small launchers family profiting as much as possible of technologies and infrastructures developed for Vega and Vega C launchers.

MR10 is a cryogenic LOX/LCH4 10-tons class liquid rocket engine and it will be the upper stage of the Vega E launcher. At the nominal point and steady-state MR10 engine has to provide 98 kN thrust, with propellants mixture ratio 3.4. The minimum specific impulse required is 362 seconds.