Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket is set for its first-ever launch next week, carrying with it the continent's hopes of regaining independent access to space and fending off soaring competition from Elon Musk's SpaceX.
  • DiplomjodlerEnglish
    6•3 months ago

    It’s like bringing out a new and improved horse and buggy just after Ford introduced the Model T.

    • @[email protected]English
      2•3 months ago

      Sorry for my ignorance, but what would the Model T be here? And why does it make this rocket obsolete? I don’t know much more about the subject than I see in the press.

      • federal reverseMEnglish
        5•3 months ago

        From the article:

        Ariane 6’s first launch will use two boosters, with a more powerful four-booster version scheduled for liftoff in the middle of next year.

        However, the boosters and other parts of the rocket are not reusable — unlike SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

        Reusability of the rocket is a big thing because it reduces cost.

        • DiplomjodlerEnglish
          6•3 months ago

          Precisely. Introducing a new rocket that is not reusable in this day and age instantly makes your product obsolete.

        • @[email protected]English
          2•3 months ago

          That’s fine, but is that so essential right now that it can be compared to going from a horse-drawn carriage to a car? I mean, do you think there won’t be room for disposable launchers anymore?

          Thanks for answering

          • poVoqOPMEnglish
            8•3 months ago

            It’s just not cost competitive at all anymore.

            One can argue about having a disposable second stage (like Falcon-9) vs. full re-usability (like the upcoming Starship), as the latter is not very efficient fuel wise. But not having a reusable first stage just makes it way too expensive to be able to compete in the currently market dominated by the Falcon-9.