Science

Europe is engaged in the development of reusable rockets and spacecraft

20:05 01.06.2023 Science

The European Space Agency (ESA) has entered into agreements with ArianeGroup, Avio, SENER and The Exploration Company to develop technologies for reusable space rockets and spacecraft. It is reported by European Spaceflight.

The publication writes that ArianeGroup's proposals are based on existing groundwork for the Prometheus rocket engine and the Themis promising reusable carrier. In addition, ArianeGroup's subsidiary, MaiaSpace, is already working on a future replacement for the promising Ariane 6 rocket.

Avio is developing the M10 engine, which is already being tested, and the M60 powertrain, intended for the first stage of the reusable rocket demonstrator.

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SENER is known for its work on the navigation system of the Vega C rocket and the flight termination system of the promising Eris carrier. In addition, the company is developing a control system for the return module of the promising Space Rider spacecraft.

The Exploration Company is building a reusable, modular Nyx spacecraft capable of autonomous flight. Elements of this ship are proposed to be used in a manned program.

In May, the head of the ESA, Josef Aschbacher, in an interview with the newspaper El Pais, said that the decision to end Europe's cooperation with Russia in the field of space was not an easy one.

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