ArianeGroup conducts first firing test of Europe's promising reusable Prometheus rocket

French aerospace company ArianeGroup conducted the first firing tests of the Prometheus rocket. The test took place in France and ended successfully.

Here's What We Know

The event at the Vernon platform was aimed at performing a firing test of the reusable engine fitted to the Themis prototype first stage. The propulsion system has a thrust rating of 100 tonnes. During the test the engine ran for 12 seconds.

Prometheus has the same level of thrust as the Vulcain 2.1 engine in the Ariane rocket. However, the company claims that the new propulsion system costs ten times less. This is achieved by using a different fuel and 3D printing.

Prometheus uses methane and oxygen as its fuel. ArianeGroup tested the fuel tanks two years ago. The first firing test of Prometheus was supposed to take place in 2022, but it was postponed by a year.

Now the program is behind schedule, but if the company manages to conduct jump tests (several-meter ascent and landing), the missed time will be made up for. Larger flight tests will take place in two years at a launch site in French Guiana.

Source: SciTechDaily