ESA study: Europe could build a reusable heavy-lift rocket
At the IAC space congress, ESA presented study results showing that a two-stage reusable rocket in two versions is technically and financially feasible, Raumfahrer.net reports.
Archive image · Photo: ESA, M. Trovatello / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo (cropped and resized)
Europe could develop its own reusable heavy-lift rocket, according to a study by the European Space Agency (ESA). As the specialist outlet Raumfahrer.net reported on Friday, ESA presented the results at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). According to the study, a two-stage rocket in two versions is technically and financially feasible. The first stage somewhat resembles SpaceX's Falcon 9 but has more engines. The upper stage is to be fitted with control flaps, similar to Starship.
The lighter, fully reusable version is to be able to carry 22 tonnes to an orbit at 250 kilometres altitude with an inclination of 51.6 degrees. The heavier variant is designed for 60 tonnes to the same orbit. The report gave no details on costs, schedule or the number of engines. These are study figures, not a flight-ready vehicle.
In December 2024, ESA launched a so-called Pathfinder study for a reusable rocket with a payload of up to 60 tonnes. Separately, the European Launcher Challenge is under way, whose first contracts went to Rocket Factory Augsburg, PLD Space and Isar Aerospace, according to NewSpace Economy. Reusable rockets are also the focus of the UN's World Space Week from 4 to 10 October, held this year under the motto "Rocket Revolution".