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Ariane Next

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Ariane Next
FunctionPartiallyreusable launch vehicletolow Earth orbit
ManufacturerArianeGroup
Country of originEuropean multi-national
Size
Stages2
Associated rockets
FamilyAriane
ComparableFalcon 9
Launch history
StatusUnder development
Launch sitesGuiana Space Centre
First stage
Powered by7 to 9 ×Prometheus[1]
PropellantLOX/CH4
Second stage
Powered by1 ×Prometheus[1]
PropellantLOX/CH4
[edit on Wikidata]

Ariane Next[2]—also known as SALTO (reusable strategic space launcher technologies and operations)[3]—is a futureEuropean Space Agencyrocket being developed in the 2020s byArianeGroup.This partially reusable launcher is planned to succeedAriane 6,with an entry into service in the 2030s. The objective of the new launcher is to halve the launch costs compared with Ariane 6. The preferred architecture is that of theFalcon 9rocket (a reusable first stage landing vertically with a common engine model for the two stages) while using an engine burning a mixture ofliquid methaneandliquid oxygen.The first technological demonstrators are under development.

History[edit]

The European Space Agency'sAriane 6launcher is to gradually succeed theAriane 5rocket after 2023.[4][5]Studies on the next generation of European government-funded launcher to follow Ariane 6 started before 2019.[2][when?]The stated priority objective for the new rocket is to halve the cost of launching compared to Ariane 6 with simplified and more flexible[clarification needed]launch methods.[citation needed]

ArianeGroupwas selected by the ESA in 2021 to head two projects: one to develop a newreusable launch vehicleand the other to develop a newliquid propellantrocket enginefor the vehicle. More specifically, the two programmes were named "SALTO (reuSable strAtegic space Launcher Technologies & Operations) and ENLIGHTEN (European iNitiative for Low cost, Innovative & Green High Thrust Engine) projects," respectively.[3]

ArianeGroup secured funding to begindevelopmentof the new reusable launch vehicle in May 2022.[3] Funding for the project will be provided "by theEuropean Commissionas a part of theHorizon Europeprogramme designed toencourage and accelerate innovation"in Europe.[3]

In May 2022, the "French Economy MinisterBruno Le Mairesaid SALTO and ENLIGHTEN would be operational by 2026 ", and ArianeGroup stated that the target date was achievable.[3][needs update] As of May 2022,the SALTO project intended to carry out an initial flight test of a single rocket stage by mid-2024, using aThemisprototypefirst stageto validate the landing phase of the design.[3]First hot fire engine testing occurred in 2023.[6]

Description[edit]

The architecture proposed for Ariane Next uses a design based onSpaceX'sFalcon 9:a reusable first stage which, after having separated from the second stage, returns toland verticallyonEarth.The first stage will use severalliquid-propellant rocketengines: the predecessor for these is thePrometheus rocket engineunder development by the EU, which burns a mixture ofmethaneandliquid oxygen.Methane is somewhat less efficient than the hydrogen used by theVulcainengine ofAriane 6but it can be stored at higher temperatures, −160 °C (113 K; −256 °F) compared to −253 °C (20 K; −423 °F) forhydrogen,which makes it possible to lighten and simplify the tanks and the supply circuits. The density of liquid methane is higher than hydrogen, which allows a mass reduction in the tank structure. The launcher is planned to use seven or nine of such engines for the first stage and a single engine for the second stage.[1]The goal is to halve the launch costs compared to Ariane 6.[citation needed]

Preliminary steps[edit]

To be able to produce the new launcher, various technology demonstrators are being developed, each also funded by European Union technology development funds:

  • FROG is a small demonstrator for testing the vertical landing of a rocket stage. It made several flights in 2019.[7]
  • Callisto,under development, aims to improve the techniques required to produce a reusable launcher (return to Earth and reconditioning) and to estimate the operational cost of such a launcher. A first flight was scheduled for 2022.[citation needed]
  • Themiswill then be developed. It will have a reusable first stage with one to threePrometheusrocket motors and is expected to fly around 2022–2025.[citation needed]

Configurations[edit]

Different configurations of the launcher are being evaluated. Three versions are under consideration for different missions:[2]

  • A two-stage version
  • A version with two small liquid propellant boosters
  • A version with three first stages linked together, similar toFalcon Heavy

Return to Earth[edit]

Different systems are being studied for controlling the first stage'satmospheric re-entry:[citation needed]

Landing system[edit]

Different systems are being considered, ranging from everything on ground (all ground systems) to everything on the launcher (all on-board systems). Currently, development is focused on an on-board legs system similar to that ofFalcon 9.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcJean-Marc ASTORG (7 May 2019)."CNES future launcher road map"(PDF).CNES.
  2. ^abcPatureau de Mirand, Antoine (July 2019).Ariane Next, a vision for a reusable cost efficient European rocket(PDF).8th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences.doi:10.13009/EUCASS2019-949.Retrieved18 August2021.
  3. ^abcdefJoly, Josephine (7 May 2022)."Move over, SpaceX: ArianeGroup to make Europe's first reusable and 'eco-friendly' rockets".Euronews.Retrieved19 August2022.
  4. ^Foust, Jeff (19 October 2022)."TAriane 6 first launch slips to late 2023".SpaceNews.Retrieved19 October2022.
  5. ^Berger, Eric (21 June 2021)."The Ariane 6 debut is slipping again as Europe hopes for a late 2022 launch".Ars Technica.Retrieved8 October2021.
  6. ^Simpson, Clive."First hot-fire test of Europe's reusable methane-fueled Prometheus rocket engine – Spaceflight Now".Retrieved9 May2024.
  7. ^"FROG: un petit démonstrateur GNC de lanceur réutilisable"(in French). 18 October 2019.

External links[edit]

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