French aerospace company ArianeGroup has conducted the first fire test of the Prometheus rocket. The tests took place in
What is known
The platform event in Vernon was targetedto conduct a fire test of a reusable engine installed on the prototype of the Themis first stage. The power plant has a thrust of the 100-ton class. During the tests, the engine ran for 12 seconds.
Prometheus has the same level of traction asVulcain 2.1 engine in the Ariane rocket. However, the company claims that the new power plant costs ten times less. This was achieved through the use of different fuels and 3D printing.
Prometheus uses methane as fuel andoxygen. ArianeGroup tested fuel tanks two years ago. It was assumed that the first fire tests of Prometheus would take place in 2022, but they were postponed for a year.
Now the program is behind schedule, but ifthe company will have time to conduct jump tests (lifting a few meters and landing), then the lost time will be caught up. Larger flight tests will take place in two years at a spaceport in French Guiana.