Main Engine Cut OffPrometheus Becomes ESA Project with €85 Million in Funding Towards 2020 Test Firing
Caleb Henry for SpaceNews:
Charmeau said the market dynamics that have dissuaded the company from reusability in the past are still the same, but the company wants to lay the foundation for long-term launcher development.
“We are preparing the market for 2030. Today we do not have in Europe an engine which has the capability to be reused for the main stage of the launcher. Until we have this engine, it is very difficult to design what could be a new launcher,” he said.
I’m not sure how well this strategy will work out, long-term, but I do admire this cautious-yet-curious attitude towards reusability rather than the fingers-in-ears attitude of Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel.