While less publicised, the ArianeGroup-led SkyHopper project, like Themis, aims to develop a reusable rocket first stage.
  • ptfrdEnglish
    2·
    14 days ago

    Saw the headline, then it took me a couple of seconds to decide that this probably wasn’t some kind of SpaceX collaboration.

    The SpaceX hoppers were actually:

    • grasshopper for testing Falcon 9 landings
    • starhopper - what people call the first vehicle to fly with Raptor engine(s)
    • threelonmusketeersOPMEnglish
      2·
      14 days ago

      grasshopper for testing Falcon 9 landings

      Don’t forget F9R, too!

      Building hoppers seems to be common for companies pursuing reusable launch vehicles. Deep Blue Aerospace and Landspace have built hoppers as well.

      I’m keenly interested to see what Maiaspace can do.