All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Avio is transitioning away from Arianespace and is seeking to expand its presence in the global launch market.
The first Pléiades Neo Next satellite will be launched on Avio’s Vega C rocket.
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 19 December Avio press release described one customer payload as an Earth observation satellite with a payload mass of 1,000 kilograms, a planned 2028 launch, and placement into an approximately 500-kilometre sun-synchronous orbit.
Avio views the Amazonia-1B mission as a demonstration that Vega C is a competitive product globally.
Airbus awarded the Avio launch contract on 27 January.
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.
Giulio Ranzo is the CEO of Avio.
Space Rider is a collaboration among ESA, Thales Alenia Space, and Avio.
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.
In December, the assembly building used for the Ariane 5 launcher was transferred to Avio and renamed the Vega Assembly Building.
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 operation consolidates Avio's role in the Vega program and ensures operational continuity for a strategic infrastructure.
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.
The Vega Assembly Building is now officially under the management of Avio.
The key transfer to Avio formalizes the Italian company's industrial role in assembly activities.
Avio plays a direct role in enhancing a facility already integrated into the European space complex.