The European Space Agency has published a third iteration of a proposed pathfinder study for the development of a European reusable super heavy-lift rocket capable of delivering 60 tonnes to low Earth orbit.
ESA published an initial call for its European 60T LEO Reusable Launch System Pathfinder Study initiative on 20 November. The call was, however, deleted later that day. On 3 December, a second version of the call was published and then removed, once again, on the same day. On 10 December, ESA published a third iteration of the call, with this one being the first to remain published overnight.
With the second iteration of the call, the revised requirements placed a stronger emphasis on time and cost efficiency with a focus on “lean management” approaches. It also introduced considerations for human-rating the rocket to carry European astronauts.
While the first and second iterations made no mention of Ariane 6, currently Europe’s only heavy-lift rocket, the third iteration highlights the limitations of the ArianeGroup-built rocket.
“End-to-end activities concerning space transportation architectures for human and robotic space exploration have identified the potential of Ariane 6 to serve LEO destinations together with its limitations for beyond LEO applications,” the call explains.
The text goes on to state that the development of a “European very-heavy launch system” is essential for Europe’s future ambitions in space and represents a necessary step to ensure the continent remains competitive in the global launch market.
“The need for Europe to study a sustainable business case in [detail] for a European very-heavy launch system was identified as a priority to ensure: non-dependence for space exploration applications beyond LEO, [the] capability to deploy large space infrastructures in LEO, readiness to capture wider space exploitation potentials, [and the] recovery of the competitiveness gap with respect to the upcoming very-heavy reusable launch systems worldwide.”
At its core, the study seeks to address two key questions: What are the technological, technical, planning, and financial requirements? And, considering the need for a sustainable public-private risk-sharing model, “since a fully institutional approach is not considered viable,” is there a credible business case for this type of launch system? In relation to that second question, ESA has emphasized private investment for the first time over the three iterations.
“The business case will maximise the exploitation potentials of the commercialisation opportunities with active research and attraction of private investments (investors, banks, [insurance companies], [and potential] customers).”
Once the study is complete, ESA hopes to have a detailed end-to-end development roadmap with a well-defined business case that could be used to move forward with the project quickly. A decision on whether to adopt the programme will likely be made at the ESA ministerial meeting in late 2025.
According to a 12 December ESA press release, the Pathfinder study has received unanimous support from the ESA member states participating in the Human Space Transportation element of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme. These member states include France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain. Two contracts, each worth €4 million, will be awarded as part of the study
