With yesterday’s approval of the new Launcher Exploitation Declaration (“LED”) at ESA headquarters in Paris, a key milestone has been achieved in the redefinition of Europe’s launch system. The declaration officially designates Avio as the launch service provider for the Vega launcher family.

For the first time, an Italian company is entrusted with providing access-to-space services, in recognition of its proven technological and industrial capabilities and its strategic positioning within the European space industry.

Avio –a global reference in launch systems and in solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion– has already initiated a robust development plan aimed at strengthening its organizational structure, industrial capabilities, and operational infrastructure, with the objective of fully delivering on this new role.

“This achievement represents an extraordinary recognition for our company and for the entire Italian industrial ecosystem” said Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio. “It is a historic step that reinforces our Nation's autonomy in access to space and assigns us a strategic responsibility towards Europe. We are ready to meet this challenge with determination and we are investing in technologies, expertise, and infrastructure to ensure a competitive service. We are deeply grateful for the consistent and constructive support received from Italian institutions in the pursuit of this important goal”.