SpaceX rival: Europeans embark on reusable launch vehicle
The space industry continues to develop rapidly. Other countries are gradually joining “whales” like the USA, Russia, and China. And so, the "old woman" Europe decided to speak her word.
As it became known the day before, the French space agency, together with the company Ariane Group, began to develop the latest launch platform. The device should form the basis of the reusable launch vehicle, which is planned to be used as part of the ArianeWorks program.
On the official resource of the Ariane Group, a video presentation of the launcher demonstrator has already appeared. According to information received, the new missile will operate on the basis of reusable Prometheus units. A mixture of oxygen and methane is used as a combustible substance in this engine, and its cost does not exceed $ 1 million.
The main goal of the French developers is to create a single-stage rocket with three engines, which can make vertical take-off and further landing near the launch site. Based on the published video, the device will land on 4 landing legs.
And all would be fine if the Ars Technica edition didn’t notice the amazing similarity between the French demonstrator Themis and the American rocket Falcon 9. Yes, and Prometheus practically does not differ in performance from Merlin. Even the thrust of both is 100 tons. The only difference is that the first uses methane as a mixture, and the second uses kerosene.
At the moment, the work of the Ariane Group on the latest rocket, dubbed Ariane 6, is nearing its end. The first launch is scheduled for 2020. And, despite the “plagiarism”, some experts still believe that the European reusable device will be able to compete with Faclon 9 from the American SpaceX corporation.
As it became known the day before, the French space agency, together with the company Ariane Group, began to develop the latest launch platform. The device should form the basis of the reusable launch vehicle, which is planned to be used as part of the ArianeWorks program.
On the official resource of the Ariane Group, a video presentation of the launcher demonstrator has already appeared. According to information received, the new missile will operate on the basis of reusable Prometheus units. A mixture of oxygen and methane is used as a combustible substance in this engine, and its cost does not exceed $ 1 million.
The main goal of the French developers is to create a single-stage rocket with three engines, which can make vertical take-off and further landing near the launch site. Based on the published video, the device will land on 4 landing legs.
And all would be fine if the Ars Technica edition didn’t notice the amazing similarity between the French demonstrator Themis and the American rocket Falcon 9. Yes, and Prometheus practically does not differ in performance from Merlin. Even the thrust of both is 100 tons. The only difference is that the first uses methane as a mixture, and the second uses kerosene.
At the moment, the work of the Ariane Group on the latest rocket, dubbed Ariane 6, is nearing its end. The first launch is scheduled for 2020. And, despite the “plagiarism”, some experts still believe that the European reusable device will be able to compete with Faclon 9 from the American SpaceX corporation.
Information