Avio S.p.A. is an Italian aerospace company specializing in space propulsion and launch systems. As the prime contractor for the Vega rocket family, including Vega and Vega C, Avio provides launch services for institutional, governmental, and commercial payloads. They are also a subcontractor for the Ariane program, supplying components like boosters and stage separation motors and partners with organizations like the European Space Agency (ESA). Associated keywords include: space launchers, solid-propellant motors, liquid propulsion, Vega, Vega C, Ariane, ESA.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Italian rocket builder Avio signed a launch services agreement in September 2025 with US-based launch aggregator SpaceLaunch to carry an Earth observation satellite for an extra-European institutional customer.
The first Pléiades Neo Next satellite will be launched on Avio’s Vega C rocket.
Avio is transitioning away from Arianespace and is seeking to expand its presence in the global launch market.
Airbus awarded the Avio launch contract on 27 January.
Airbus awarded Avio a contract to launch the first Pléiades Neo Next Earth observation satellite aboard a Vega C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre.
Avio views the Amazonia-1B mission as a demonstration that Vega C is a competitive product globally.
The 19 December Avio contract details are consistent with a Pléiades Neo Next mission.
A 19 December Avio press release referenced two launch contracts with unnamed customers valued at over €100 million.
INPE published a press release on 27 January 2026 confirming that it was the extra-European institutional customer for the Avio–SpaceLaunch launch services agreement.
Space Rider is a collaboration among ESA, Thales Alenia Space, and Avio.
The Arianespace contract was transferred to Avio following the handover of responsibility for the operation of the Vega C rocket.
ESA awarded the first two Flight Ticket Initiative contracts to Avio and Isar Aerospace in August 2025.
Development of the P120C booster began in 2015 and was led by Europropulsion, a joint venture between ArianeGroup and Avio.
The P120C booster serves as the first stage for Avio’s Vega C launch system.
The key transfer to Avio formalizes the Italian company's industrial role in assembly activities.
The transfer of the former Ariane 5 assembly building to Avio and its transformation into the Vega Assembly Building represents a concrete step in the reorganization of European launch infrastructures.
The Vega Assembly Building is now officially under the management of Avio.
In December, the assembly building used for the Ariane 5 launcher was transferred to Avio and renamed the Vega Assembly Building.
The Vega Assembly Building reinforces the European industrial framework and ensures Avio's full access to a facility aligned with the technical requirements of the Vega program.
Avio secured €181 million in funding from the Italian government for its Space Transportation System programme.