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Europe Unveils Rival to SpaceX's Starship

June 1, 2023

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Europe proposes RLV C5, a partially reusable rocket.
RLV C5 aims to launch over 70 tonnes to orbit.
DLR analysis suggests Starship's real capabilities are more defined.
RLV C5 trades scale for efficiency, using liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

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Strategic Implications

The RLV C5 may indicate Europe's strategic choice for sovereign access to super-heavy lift without the investment required for full reusability, suggesting a focus on efficiency over raw capacity, which could benefit European space agencies and private launch companies.

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What Happened

European Space Agency Proposes Efficient Partially Reusable Rocket

Europe has unveiled a potential rival to SpaceX’s Starship, the RLV C5, a partially reusable rocket capable of launching over 70 tonnes to orbit. The concept, proposed by the German Aerospace Center, trades scale for efficiency, using liquid hydrogen and oxygen, and a winged, reusable booster stage. According to a detailed analysis, the RLV C5 could offer a more efficient path for Europe to develop super-heavy launch capabilities, as reported by SciTechDaily.

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