Avio gains after successful Vega C satellite launch

Avio SpA

19/05/2026 09:15

** Shares in Italy's Avio AVI.MI rise over 6% after the company successfully launched the SMILE scientific satellite using a Vega C launcher

** The mission, for the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to study interactions between solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere (SMILE: Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer)

** Akros says the launch could support a higher profitability cycle as Avio retains a larger share of economics previously split with Arianespace

** "The mission was important as it is the first Vega C launch operated by Avio as Launch Service Operator," it adds

** The broader European aerospace & defence sector .SXPARO is also higher, up 2.5%

 (Reporting by Mirko Miorelli)

 ((Mirko.Miorelli@thomsonreuters.com))