Interesting #Prometheus / #Callisto Ariane Next video via @CNES and blackbear studio @DLR_en
QuoteInteresting #Prometheus / #Callisto Ariane Next video via @CNES and blackbear studio @DLR_enhttps://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/950798523355815936Video attached.
...TBH I'm underwhelmed by Prometheus. It looks like an engine that could have been built any time within the last 30-40 years. It's a GG cycle Methalox engine with a shared turbine drive. Quite a lot of it will be 3d printed. It's got quite a good throttling range compared to other engines produced in Europe (Europe, not parts of the FSU)....
Sounds perfect for a low cost reusable engine along the lines of Merlin (but no coke build-up).
Additive manufacturing was not available for the last 30-40 years -- and this is a huge contributor to cost efficiency and thrust-to-weight.
Rocket engine technology-wise, yes, it could have been made 40 years ago... but wasn't, and neither was Merlin.
If you're still judging engines on 'performance' alone -- see Merlin.
Are they making several Callisto vehicles?Why the delay to 2025 for Themis... seems like it could follow Callisto into testing within 1-2 years?(This sounds like a very interesting demo!!! Should get on with it.)
And now we know there will be a second demonstrator: ThemisPlanned for 2025 Mass and size 10x of Callisto.
Quote from: AncientU on 01/25/2018 07:50 pmAre they making several Callisto vehicles?Why the delay to 2025 for Themis... seems like it could follow Callisto into testing within 1-2 years?(This sounds like a very interesting demo!!! Should get on with it.)My guess is that the 2025 date is a placeholder and contingent on the development speed of Prometheus. Without that engine no Themis.
https://spacegate.cnes.fr/fr/quezako-ces-ailerons-reviendront-sur-terredemonstrator onlyheight: 15 metersfirst test flight planned for end of 2020
Some interesting Callisto news. Article French, my summary below:Callisto, un démonstrateur de lanceur réutilisable à l'horizon 2020Assemly in Japan(sic!) and features a Japanese LH2/LOX engine.Height: 13mDiameter: 1,1mTake-off weight: 3,6 tonsGermany: Landing gear, control surfaces, France: LH2 tankJapan: Engine, LOX tankFlights to 35km altitude with Mach 6, flight profile similar to a launcher first stage. And now we know there will be a second demonstrator: ThemisPlanned for 2025 Mass and size 10x of Callisto. Propulsion will be 1 to 3 Prometheus engines.Will either result in an evolved Ariane 6 or ArianeNext.
Is that not the so-called “Ariane Next” concept, the one in the video at the top of this page?