What Happened
European Space Agency Introduces Partially Reusable Super Heavy Launch Concept
A new study introduces the RLV C5, a European concept for a partially reusable super heavy launch vehicle, as a potential rival to SpaceX’s Starship. The RLV C5 combines a reusable winged booster with an expendable upper stage, using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as propellants. The study suggests that this approach could offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution for certain missions, although it may not match Starship’s enormous lifting capacity. The concept is still in the development stage, but it could provide Europe with an independent launch capability. This development was first reported by Universe Today.