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If it's so easy to clone it, where are the clones? I've been reading about Airbus' reusable/recoverable SpaceX-killers for over a decade now. They've yet to ha
by perihelions 2y ago
If it's so easy to clone it, where are the clones?
I've been reading about Airbus' reusable/recoverable SpaceX-killers for over a decade now. They've yet to have anything to show for their work.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adeline_(rocket_stage) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adeline_(rocket_stage)
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33006056 https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33006056 ("Airbus unveils 'Adeline' re-usable rocket concept" (2015))
- "...Airbus says it has been working on the concept since 2010 and has even flight-tested small demonstrators..."
(That BBC article predates the first Falcon rocket landing).
- wat10000 2y agoDon't get me wrong, that problem of overcoming the old, slow, expensive way of doing things is huge for any established launch organization. I don't expect Airbus or ULA to get there. But it's not because the technology is so difficult that they can't do it. A new rocket company with a couple billion dollars in funding would have a good chance.
- trothamel 2y agoNote that in doing so, they'd be reaching where SpaceX was a decade ago, and by the time they got there, it seems pretty likely that full reusability will be working a year or so from now, at least for basic earth-orbit flights.