Ariane Group is to work with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a partly 3D-printed rocket. The company has already developed its own rocket engine and will be working closely with ESA in developing an orbital launch vehicle that can carry satellites into orbit. It is predicted to cost about €1m ($1.2m), a tenth of the cost of vehicles such as the Vulcain 2. While Ariane has not disclosed its full range of design and production methods, it will 3D-print some components, including the gas generator.
Ariane Group is to work with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a partly 3D-printed rocket. The low-cost Prometheus engine will run on liquid oxygen and methane, and is intended for launches from 2030. It is predicted to cost about €1m ($1.2m), a tenth of the cost of vehicles such as the Vulcain 2. While Ariane has not disclosed its full range of design and production methods, it will 3D-print some components, including the gas generator.