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FYI this is the predecessor to a reusable rocket patterned after Falcon 9: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Next https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Next

by api 2y ago

FYI this is the predecessor to a reusable rocket patterned after Falcon 9: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Next https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_Next Would love to see at least one other provider get into reusability.

amelius 2y ago
I would love them to develop reusable (sustainable) fuel too.
- fransje26 2y ago
  The first stage and second stage engines are using LOX+LH2, so sustainability-wise, that's hard to beat.
- api 2y ago
  Both hydrogen and methane are sustainable. No such thing as a reusable fuel unless you can reverse the second law of thermodynamics.
glzone1 2y ago
Actually, Arianespace famously chided spacex for trying to do reusability. So A6 was not intended to be a predecessor at all. Almost no real new major tech. China is doing a much more aggressive fast follow of SpaceX and ESA just recommitted to this Ariane 6 as the future backbone of EU space launch (they have a lot of vested interests on this rocket so chance of going hard on something else were pretty limited to begin with). This rocket will probably need at least a billion in subsidies every 2-3 years in addition to forcing EU sats to go on it (for 2x the price of alternatives).
grecy 2y ago
> Would love to see at least one other provider get into reusability China have basically a clone of the Falcon 9 in testing now. Nine engines, landing legs, etc. etc. It's famous for accidentally taking off during an engine test recently - https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/chinese-space-firm-unintentionally-launches-its-new-rocket/ https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/chinese-space-firm-uni...
fransje26 2y ago
> FYI this is the predecessor to a reusable rocket Not much of a predecessor, no. When they started designing it, there was no interest in producing a reusable rocket, as it was not clear if it could be done in a cost-efficient manner, and the development uncertainty was too high. Hindsight is 20/20. Of course, they might iterate and re-use some technology from Ariane 6 for a re-usable future launcher, as they leveraged technology from Ariane 5 and Vega for this launcher.
signatoremo 2y ago
Rocket Lab, Firefly, Relativity, Stoke are all working on reusable rockets. Blue Origin’s New Glenn is supposed to have the first flight end of September, carrying some low risk NASA’s satellites. They also plan to land on the first try. We shall see if they can achieve that
- dotnet00 2y ago
  I think a launch this year for New Glenn is pretty much entirely off the table now (or might just barely make it in by the end of the year), they haven't even gotten to static firing the rocket yet, let alone all the work after that needed to be able to fly. They'd have to move as fast as SpaceX without running into any trouble on their very first time lighting up the fully integrated rocket and have launch licensing paperwork already being worked through to just barely make it to a September launch. Similarly, I bet that the next Starship test won't happen before mid-September/early-October if they stick to the plan of attempting a catch.
fvdessen 2y ago
At least they chose a fun codename; 'SALTO' meaning 'backflip' in French :)
- BrandoElFollito 2y ago
  Backflip or frontflip - we have the choice:) Not sure if the world frontflip exists in English

by api 2y ago

amelius 2y ago

I would love them to develop reusable (sustainable) fuel too.

fransje26 2y ago
The first stage and second stage engines are using LOX+LH2, so sustainability-wise, that's hard to beat.
api 2y ago
Both hydrogen and methane are sustainable. No such thing as a reusable fuel unless you can reverse the second law of thermodynamics.

glzone1 2y ago

Actually, Arianespace famously chided spacex for trying to do reusability. So A6 was not intended to be a predecessor at all. Almost no real new major tech. China is doing a much more aggressive fast follow of SpaceX and ESA just recommitted to this Ariane 6 as the future backbone of EU space launch (they have a lot of vested interests on this rocket so chance of going hard on something else were pretty limited to begin with). This rocket will probably need at least a billion in subsidies every 2-3 years in addition to forcing EU sats to go on it (for 2x the price of alternatives).

grecy 2y ago

> Would love to see at least one other provider get into reusability China have basically a clone of the Falcon 9 in testing now. Nine engines, landing legs, etc. etc. It's famous for accidentally taking off during an engine test recently - https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/chinese-space-firm-unintentionally-launches-its-new-rocket/ https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/chinese-space-firm-uni...

fransje26 2y ago

> FYI this is the predecessor to a reusable rocket Not much of a predecessor, no. When they started designing it, there was no interest in producing a reusable rocket, as it was not clear if it could be done in a cost-efficient manner, and the development uncertainty was too high. Hindsight is 20/20. Of course, they might iterate and re-use some technology from Ariane 6 for a re-usable future launcher, as they leveraged technology from Ariane 5 and Vega for this launcher.

signatoremo 2y ago

Rocket Lab, Firefly, Relativity, Stoke are all working on reusable rockets. Blue Origin’s New Glenn is supposed to have the first flight end of September, carrying some low risk NASA’s satellites. They also plan to land on the first try. We shall see if they can achieve that

dotnet00 2y ago
I think a launch this year for New Glenn is pretty much entirely off the table now (or might just barely make it in by the end of the year), they haven't even gotten to static firing the rocket yet, let alone all the work after that needed to be able to fly. They'd have to move as fast as SpaceX without running into any trouble on their very first time lighting up the fully integrated rocket and have launch licensing paperwork already being worked through to just barely make it to a September launch. Similarly, I bet that the next Starship test won't happen before mid-September/early-October if they stick to the plan of attempting a catch.

fvdessen 2y ago

At least they chose a fun codename; 'SALTO' meaning 'backflip' in French :)

BrandoElFollito 2y ago
Backflip or frontflip - we have the choice:) Not sure if the world frontflip exists in English