Prometheus full ignition, ArianeGroup test center in Vernon, France on June 22, 2023. The Prometheus engine, developed with a thrust capacity of 100 tonnes, utilizes ingenious products and manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing to cut its expenses down to one-tenth of its predecessor, the Ariane 5s Vulcain 2.
Advancing with the development of recyclable European rockets, ArianeGroup successfully checked Prometheus, a 100-tonne thrust class engine that uses liquid oxygen-liquid methane fuel and 3D printing for economical, clean, and recyclable operations. Installed on a prototype reusable rocket phase, Themis, the engine is set for further tests to evaluate flight and landing abilities and is expected to be a central element in future European launchers.
Work to develop a multiple-use engine for European rockets is advancing, with full ignition of an early prototype of Prometheus. These images were handled June 22, 2023, at ArianeGroups test facility in Vernon, France throughout a 12-second burn..
The 100-tonne thrust class Prometheus features comprehensive usage of new products and manufacturing methods developed to reduce its cost to just a tenth of Ariane 5s Vulcain 2, an upgraded variation of which– Vulcain 2.1– powers the core phase of Ariane 6..
Prometheus burns liquid oxygen-liquid methane fuel. Methane is clean burning and simplifies handling, to help enable reusability and minimize the cost of ground operations before and after flight.
Prometheus includes variable thrust and several ignition abilities. Additive layer manufacturing– so-called 3D printing– features extensively, decreasing the variety of parts, accelerating production, and decreasing waste..
For the Vernon and Lampoldshausen tests, Prometheus is installed in a prototype of a reusable rocket phase, called Themis, which is being established in parallel with the engine. Later on, this engine-stage mix will try a series of “hop-tests,” lifting a few meters above the ground to examine flight and landing capability..
Together, Prometheus and Themis are visualized to be typical technological foundation for a future family of European launchers..
Prometheus complete ignition, ArianeGroup test center in Vernon, France on June 22, 2023. The Prometheus engine, created with a thrust capability of 100 tonnes, utilizes ingenious materials and manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing to cut its costs down to one-tenth of its predecessor, the Ariane 5s Vulcain 2. Prometheus runs on a clean-burning, liquid oxygen-liquid methane fuel to simplify handling and enhance reusability.