• Mechanize@feddit.it
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      16 days ago

      Technically speaking, AFAIK, it is some years now that Ariane has started a project about a partially reusable rocket

      EDIT: Reading the article I think it is the same project? I assume I’m misreading your comment

    • EarMaster@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      14 days ago

      A publicly funded agency isn’t going to win the economic race against SpaceX or other privately owned businesses. Ariane’s goal is to provide an independent alternative and bind talent. Their focus is reliability and precision (see JWST launch).

        • EarMaster@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          edit-2
          14 days ago

          It is now. But Ariane 5 started first over 25 years ago (first launch 1996) with only 5 failures since. It had no failures between 2003 and 2017. That’s a solid reliability record…