Sòphia High Tech's Component Key to Successful VEGA-C Launch

Genenta Science, now evolving into Saentra Forge, announced that its strategic investment in Sòphia High Tech S.r.l. played a crucial role in the successful launch of the VEGA-C VV30 mission. The mission, which lifted off at 03:21 CEST on September 15, 2026, from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carried two Earth observation satellites into orbit: the Copernicus Sentinel-3C and the FLEX satellite.

Sòphia High Tech, based in Italy, has been producing the Spring Assembly, a critical component of the VEGA-C launch vehicle, since 2018. This assembly is essential for the separation of the second and third stages of the rocket. According to Antonio Caraviello, CEO of Sòphia High Tech, every Spring Assembly must meet stringent requirements for reliability and consistency.

The Spring Assembly, installed between the Zefiro 40 second stage and the Zefiro 9 third stage, stores elastic energy during launch. At the designated point in the mission sequence, the energy is released rapidly and in a controlled manner, initiating the separation of the second stage from the third stage. This process ensures a smooth and axial translation of the separated structures, minimizing unwanted rotation and mechanical loads.

Caraviello emphasized the importance of rigorous control over the geometry, tolerances, materials, and elastic characteristics of the Spring Assembly. Sòphia High Tech has mastered advanced manufacturing techniques, including state-of-the-art metal 3D printing and CNC precision machining, to produce these critical components.

Genenta Science, which is transitioning into a strategic consolidator focused on aerospace, defense, national security, and biotechnology, has invested in Sòphia High Tech to strengthen its capabilities in precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. The company's commitment to producing flight-ready space hardware to ESA and NASA standards underscores its dedication to reliability and quality.

The successful launch of the VEGA-C VV30 mission, with Sòphia High Tech's Spring Assembly contributing to its success, highlights the importance of precision engineering and advanced manufacturing in the aerospace industry. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for Genenta Science and Sòphia High Tech but also reinforces Italy's position as a key player in the European space sector.