European aerospace firm CNES and Ariane Group , the European space agency, have teamed up to develop a reusable first stage rocket. The Ariane Group released a video showing a visualization of the Themis and Callisto systems in action, claiming that their Prometheus oxygen and methane engine will deliver 100 tons of thrust for 10 times cheaper than alternatives. The rocket, dubbed Grasshopper , is based on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket will differ from a number of other reusable rocket designs in its ability to land in the same location as it launched, enabling the engine to be reused for subsequent launches, and reducing costs.
European aerospace firm CNES and Ariane Group , the European space agency, have teamed up to develop a reusable first stage rocket. The rocket, dubbed Grasshopper , is based on SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket will differ from a number of other reusable rocket designs in its ability to land in the same location as it launched, enabling the engine to be reused for subsequent launches, and reducing costs.