ArianeGroup to begin production of first Ariane 6 rocket
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Capitalism in space: Having completed a new review of the design of its new Ariane 6 rocket, ArianeGroup and ESA have decided to begin production for a planned launch in 2020.
I continue to wonder how they expect this expendable rocket to compete for launch business with both SpaceX and Blue Origin flying reusables by 2020. At best, I see the member states of the European Space Agency saddled with the requirement to use this more expensive rocket, which will seriously handicap them in the competition to settle the solar system.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
Capitalism in space: Having completed a new review of the design of its new Ariane 6 rocket, ArianeGroup and ESA have decided to begin production for a planned launch in 2020.
I continue to wonder how they expect this expendable rocket to compete for launch business with both SpaceX and Blue Origin flying reusables by 2020. At best, I see the member states of the European Space Agency saddled with the requirement to use this more expensive rocket, which will seriously handicap them in the competition to settle the solar system.
I think the general history has been that Ariane Space have manufactured lots of their rockets in big batches. Kind of mass production, which has lowered per piece costs somewhat. But that has a hard time to compete with reusable refurbishments.
Ariane 6 seems to be more about where tax monies are channeled, than what launch capabilities are actually created.
Do they have any plans to actually colonize any where?
ken anthony: Actually, ESA does want to build a lunar colony, and have been pushing for this for several years. It is why they are strong supporters of NASA’s Deep Space Gateway concept.
ken,
No, ESA has no ambition to ever send any “spationauts” anywhere. They instead go all in for the Deep Space Gateway to Nowhere. Sad.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Ariane 6 had to be subsidized after all that effort to stop that problem?