The VITAL-LH2 project begins in September 2024. Aciturri is leading a consortium formed by Hiperbaric, Cellmat, and AMTEC to strengthen knowledge of liquid hydrogen storage.
Within the first four months, the consortium has completed the design and calculations for a 12-kilogram liquid hydrogen tank and manufactured and assembled its components. The demonstrator will undergo testing in 2025 to prove the concept of Aciturri's patented liquid hydrogen storage solution.
This project builds on the SHERPA research project, which focused on developing fairings for medium-sized space launchers. In this case, Aciturri will supply the fairings needed for the MIURA 5 rocket's qualification.
Fairings are structural elements located at the tip of a rocket that protect the payload during launch. They separate at a given height to release satellites or other payloads. Fairings are complex elements designed to withstand the forces, temperatures, and vibrations that occur during launch, allowing both half-fairings to be safely separated by electronically actuated pneumatic systems.
The carbon fiber elements are manufactured at Aciturri's TecnobahÃa facilities. Final assembly began in January 2025 and is carried out entirely in Puerto Real.
VUSS
This project was launched at the end of 2024, with the entire development phase planned for 2025. Its objective is to design and manufacture the Vega Upper Stage (VUS) structure, which will support all the electronic equipment necessary to ensure the proper functioning of AVIO's future VEGA-E space launcher.
The European Space Agency (ESA) is also participating in this initiative, contributing its experience and technical support.
This project marks a milestone for Aciturri, as it represents its first collaboration with a long-standing customer in the space sector such as AVIO, reaffirming its ability to compete in this demanding market.
INTERSTAGE
The Interstage Ring project for the MIURA 5 launcher began in 2024 with PLD Space. The Interstage Ring separates the first and second stages of the rocket while protecting the second stage engine during launch and separation.
The Interstage Ring consists of a large carbon fiber ring that will be manufactured using AFP (Automatic Fiber Placement) technology at the TecnobahÃa facilities. Then, the structure will be transferred to Puerto Real, where the metal interface rings will be installed at the top and bottom. These rings will allow the second stage to separate once the launcher has reached the required height to continue the mission.
