Author Topic: CNES studying reusable methane booster (Read 4591 times)

Lars-J · « **on:** 01/05/2015 04:44 pm »

I saw these tweets this morning:
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/552117652827951104

Quote

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
CNES: We're continuing, on our own & w/Germany, work on LOX/methane for reusable 1st stages that we began 10 yrs ago w/ Russia.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/552119106951217153

Quote

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
CNES launcher chief: SpaceX's reusability choice impressive; we're going down different, slower LOX/methane path; economics in question.

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/552119769772871680

Quote

Peter B. de Selding ‏@pbdes
CNES: By mid-2015 we'll propose LOX/methane reusable 1st stage roadmap w/ Germany. Likely no flight before ~ 2026 however.

gosnold · « **Reply #1 on:** 01/05/2015 06:32 pm »

A little bit late, but it goes in the right direction. Airbus is already working on the subject.

Oli · « **Reply #2 on:** 01/06/2015 02:48 am »

Well, they have been "working" on that for 10 years...

I assume the goal would be the replace A6's solids, which could prove difficult cost-wise.

Lars-J · « **Reply #3 on:** 01/06/2015 03:24 am »

Quote from: Oli on 01/06/2015 02:48 am

Well, they have been "working" on that for 10 years...

I assume the goal would be the replace A6's solids, which could prove difficult cost-wise.

True, they have. But perhaps they are just guarding themselves by letting it slip to a journalist that they are indeed working on reusability, in case a certain landing tomorrow is successful.

fregate · « **Reply #4 on:** 01/06/2015 02:14 pm »

According to a news article from NK Magazine web site (no references to any source whatsoever

), CNES would continue Baykal program (

?) in order to create a MethaLOX booster with propulsion system that should be able to be operational for at least 40 launches to became economically viable alternative to EELV disposable rockets. IMHO CNES had some funding for Oural, Volga and Barguzin projects, while Baykal was a domestic Russian proposal lobbied by Khrunichev Centre that transformed into MKRS-1 program.

Space Ghost 1962 · « **Reply #5 on:** 01/06/2015 06:33 pm »

Perhaps you mean Baikal booster stage?

cheesybagel · « **Reply #6 on:** 01/18/2015 01:36 am »

The guy from CNES was reminiscing about Baikal yes. Emphasis on reminiscing.

The LOX/Methane engine seems kind of interesting. But 12 years? I do not know if Arianespace will still be around by then. I guess they can still launch a satellite on a LOX/Methane rocket by paying SpaceX to do the launch. Natch.