tech
ESA considers righting the wrongs of Ariane 6 by turning it into a Franken-rocket
ArianeGroup is still trying to catch up to where the bleeding edge of the launch industry was 15 years ago.
TL;DR
- There is a consensus in Europe that the space industry needs reusable rockets, but the how and how much are still being determined.
- Focus has been on developing new rockets or modifying the Ariane 6, which currently uses an expendable design.
- European Space Agency (ESA) is funding various initiatives for reusable rocket technology, including for small satellite launchers and vertical takeoff/landing demonstrations.
- ArianeGroup proposes retrofitting the Ariane 6 by replacing its solid-fueled boosters with liquid-fueled ones developed by its subsidiary MaiaSpace.
- This proposal aims to reduce operating costs and increase launch rates, but it still leaves the Ariane 6 largely expendable.
- Fully recovering the Ariane 6's core stage is considered infeasible due to its long burn time, high speeds, and single-engine design.
- The proposed modifications by ArianeGroup are seen as an effort to catch up to technologies that international competitors achieved years ago.
- Isar Aerospace, a German startup, is also working on a reusable first stage concept with ESA funding.