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As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

arstechnica.com

1–10 of 129 posts

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#2
My first instinct was amusement, seeing ESA's blatant denial and sour-grape-ization of SpaceX. But then I remembered that we all work on projects which someday will be similarly obsolete, and I can only hope we handle the situation a bit more gracefully and effectivity.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#3
> if Europe ever did develop a reusable rocket, one that could fly all the missions in a year, this would be unhelpful politically. What would the engine and booster factories sprinkled across Europe do if they built one rocket and then had 11 months off?

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#4
I'm encouraged to see that their "vow to resist" seems to mainly involve trying to outperform SpaceX, as opposed to asking for legislation/regulation to give their rocket program special status.

EDIT: At least that was the gist of this article, it seems like other sources suggest they may pursue legislative avenues as well.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#5
post #4

I'm encouraged to see that their "vow to resist" seems to mainly involve trying to outperform SpaceX, as opposed to asking for legislation/regulation to give their rocket program special status. EDIT: At least that was the gist of this article, it seems like other sources suggest they may pursue legislative avenues as well.

> their "vow to resist" seems to mainly involve trying to outperform SpaceX

The planned Ariane 6 is cost uncompetitive with the Falcon 9 and variable cost and mass uncompetitive with the Falcon Heavy. There are no plans for a European reusable. The “our mission is different...our culture is different” comment implies a regulatory, not technological, solution.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#7

I have no idea what this headline is supposed to mean. "Vows to resist" Resist what, exactly?

SpaceX and other low cost space companies. If I read the article correctly, they plan on doing this by not innovating.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#8
post #4

I'm encouraged to see that their "vow to resist" seems to mainly involve trying to outperform SpaceX, as opposed to asking for legislation/regulation to give their rocket program special status. EDIT: At least that was the gist of this article, it seems like other sources suggest they may pursue legislative avenues as well.

I remember the early 90s, when some EU bigwig (Modi? I forget) made a lot of noise about wanting to catch up to the U.S. economically.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#9

I have no idea what this headline is supposed to mean. "Vows to resist" Resist what, exactly?

SpaceX and other low cost space companies. If I read the article correctly, they plan on doing this by not innovating.

Par for the course for the EU.

Re: As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist

#10
> Even, so, Charmeau rejects comparisons to SpaceX, because he maintains that the company is heavily subsidized by the US government.

Isn't ESA subsidized by the member governments? I'd understand if the criticism was coming from a private entity and they'd be complaining about SpaceX getting preferential treatment, but coming from a state sponsored agency it seems odd.

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