Alfa was the designation of an Italian solid propellant SLBM program. Starting as a development effort for a study on efficient solid-propellant rockets, the Alfa rocket was planned as two-stage rocket. It was never developed to completion, however test launches with upper stage mockup from Salto di Quirra took place between 1973 and 1975. Salto di Quirra is a rocket launching site near Perdasdefogu on Sardinia (geographical coordinates: 39°36 northern latitude, 9°26 eastern length). ...
The Italian NPT ratification in 1975 effectively ended the project. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Opened for signature July 1, 1968 in New York Entered into force March 5, 1970 Conditions for entry into force Ratification by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and 40 other signatory states. ...
The Alfa was 6.5 meters long and had a diameter of 1.37 meters. The first stage of the Alfa was 3.85 m long and contained 6 t of solid rocket fuel. It supplied a thrust of 232 kN for a duration of 57 seconds.
On August 22, 2003, a massive explosion destroyed a Brazilian Space Agency VLS-1 (VLS-1 V03) rocket as it stood on its launch pad at the Alcântara Launching Center in northern Brazil.
The explosion caused a fire in the nearby jungle brush, and produced a large cloud of smoke that was visible for large distances.
The rocket had been scheduled to launch in just a few days' time and had two satellites onboard when the explosion occurred.
The Alfa project for an indigenous Italian submarine- and ship-launched ballistic missile was begun in 1971.
Three Alfa test missiles with inert second stages were launched, in September and October 1975 and April 1976 from Salto di Quirra in Sardinia.
Alfa prime contractor was Aeritalia (now Alenia), with BPD Spazio providing the engine, Selenia the ground range tracking, and Sistel the on-board electronics.
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