Sòphia High Tech Flight Hardware on Board VEGA-C VV30 as the European Launcher Carries Sentinel-3C and FLEX into Orbit
The Spring Assembly manufactured by Sòphia HT, a strategic Genenta investment, supports the separation of the launcher’s second and third stages
Sòphia HT has been in serial production of the component since 2018
MILAN, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genenta Science S.p.A. (Nasdaq: GNTA), evolving into Saentra Forge1, a strategic industrial consolidator focused on aerospace, defense, national security and biotechnology, today announced that Sòphia High Tech S.r.l. (Sòphia HT), the Italian aerospace and defense manufacturer in which Genenta made a strategic investment in 2026, contributes to the manufacture of the Spring Assembly used within the second/third-stage separation system of VEGA-C, the European launch vehicle built and operated by Avio. The VV30 mission lifted off at 03:21 CEST on September 15, 2026 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. VV30 carried two European Earth observation satellites, both built by Thales Alenia Space, into a Sun-synchronous orbit: Copernicus Sentinel-3C, the third satellite of the Sentinel-3 mission of the European Union’s Copernicus program, and FLEX, the eighth Earth Explorer mission developed under the European Space Agency’s FutureEO program.
“Behind every successful launch there are components like the Spring Assembly: small, precise and decisive for the flight sequence. This is precisely the kind of industrial capability in which we seek to invest as we build a listed, long-term Italian platform: engineering that has been qualified for flight, produced in series for years and trusted by Europe's leading space programs. Every VEGA-C flight highlights the great value of the aerospace sector in Italy,” said Pierluigi Paracchi, CEO of Genenta.
“Since 2018, every Spring Assembly we deliver for VEGA-C has had to meet the same requirement: a mechanical response that is identical, flight after flight. That consistency is not something you achieve once. It is built into how we control materials, geometry and process at every step of production. For a component that acts during a few decisive seconds of the mission, this is what reliability means, and it is the standard our team is proud to uphold,” said Antonio Caraviello, CEO of Sòphia HT.
Spring Assembly for VEGA-C: Precision Engineering Supporting Stage Separation
Installed in the interstage connecting the Zefiro 40 second stage to the Zefiro 9 third stage, the Spring Assembly performs an essential function during one of the most critical phases of flight: the controlled separation of the two stages.
During launch, the system remains in a restrained configuration, storing elastic energy. At the designated point in the mission sequence, following activation of the interstage separation device, this energy is released rapidly and in a controlled manner. The resulting force initiates the separation of the exhausted second stage from the third stage, enabling the mission to continue under the required kinematic conditions.
The coordinated action of the Spring Assemblies, together with the associated guidance system, promotes a smooth and axial translation of the separated structures. This behavior is essential to limiting unwanted rotation, potential interference and abnormal mechanical loads during separation.
The component must deliver a precise and repeatable mechanical response even after exposure to the severe conditions experienced during launch, including vibrations, structural loads, pyrotechnic shocks and temperature variations.
Manufacturing the Spring Assembly therefore requires rigorous control of its geometry, tolerances, materials and elastic characteristics. Every element must provide reliability, consistent performance and full integration with the interstage structure. Sòphia HT has been engaged in the serial production of these components since 2018; consequently, production repeatability is also of fundamental importance to the mission’s success.
Relatively compact in size yet essential to the correct execution of the flight sequence, the Spring Assembly is a tangible example of how precision engineering, advanced manufacturing expertise and strict process control contribute to the reliability of European space missions.
About Genenta Science
Genenta (Nasdaq: GNTA) is evolving into a next-generation strategic consolidator focused on privately held specialized companies operating in Italian national security-regulated sectors, with activities spanning cybersecurity, defense, aerospace, and biotechnology/biosecurity.
About Sòphia High Tech
Sòphia High Tech S.r.l. is an Italian aerospace and defense engineering and manufacturing company. At its core, Sòphia builds the critical mechanical components of space and defense systems — the precision parts that hold rockets together, protect satellites in orbit, and allow aircraft to perform under extreme stress. The company covers the entire product lifecycle, from initial concept design and computer simulation, through prototyping and manufacturing, all the way to final testing, assembly, and qualification for flight. What sets Sòphia apart is its mastery of advanced manufacturing techniques — including state-of-the-art metal 3D printing (known as Selective Laser Melting), CNC precision machining and multitasking, and the ability to work with some of the most demanding exotic materials in the industry, including titanium, Inconel, tungsten, and specialized copper alloys. The company also conducts original materials research — developing entirely new metallic blends tailored to the specific demands of space propulsion. Certified to the EN9100 aerospace quality standard and to ECSS-Q-ST-70-80C, the ESA specification for additive manufacturing, Sòphia is one of the very few companies in Europe qualified to 3D-print flight-ready space hardware to ESA and NASA standards. With over 530 advanced projects completed, Sòphia serves leading European aerospace and defense organizations including ESA, AVIO, Thales Alenia Space, Leonardo, MBDA, GSSI, and D-Orbit.
Forward-Looking Statements. Statements in this press release contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “suggest,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on Genenta’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including risks related to the transition to Saentra Forge, the ability to close the transaction with Sòphia High Tech, financial forecasts of Sòphia High Tech, and expected use of proceeds of Sòphia High Tech. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Genenta’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, and Genenta’s material disclosures on Form 6-K dated October 10, 2025, as well as other Form 6-K disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of the date of this announcement, and Genenta undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.
Genenta Media Contact: Tiziana Pollio. Mobile: +39 348 23 15 143 Email: tiziana.pollio@genenta.com
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1 The name change from Genenta Science S.p.A. to Saentra Forge S.p.A. is subject to shareholder approval.
