https://www.space.com/europe-no-reusable-rocket-until-2030s Skip to main content (*) ( ) Open menu Close menu Space [ ] Search Search Space [ ] Subscribe RSS (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) All About Space Magazine (opens in new tab) All About Space Magazine (opens in new tab) Why subscribe? * Your monthly guide to stargazing & space science * Subscribe for just PS1 per issue with our Spring Savings * Issues delivered straight to your door or device From$3.99 (opens in new tab) View (opens in new tab) * * News * Astronomy * Spaceflight * The Moon * Our Solar System * Skywatching * More + Videos + Search for LIfe + Technology + Entertainment + Reference + SpaceX + Expert Voices + Forums + All Topics + Subscribe to "All About Space" Magazine! + Space.com Store + About Us + Web Notifications Trending * What time is May 5 lunar eclipse? * Next Full Moon * Best Telescopes * Best Star Projectors * Space Calendar * Best Binoculars * Lego Star Wars deals * Best Drones * Solar System Planets * Night Sky Tonight * Russia-Ukraine war space impacts When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. 1. Home 2. News 3. Spaceflight Europe won't have reusable rockets for another decade: report By Andrew Jones published 4 May 2023 Arianespace's CEO says the expendable Ariane 6 will likely fly for more than a decade before being replaced. * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * (opens in new tab) * Comments (3) An artist's illustration of Arianespace's new Ariane 6 rocket at its launch site at Europe's Spaceport in in Kourou, French Guiana. The powerful, expendable rocket has yet to fly. An artist's illustration of Arianespace's new Ariane 6 rocket at its launch site at Europe's Spaceport in in Kourou, French Guiana. The powerful, expendable rocket has yet to fly. (Image credit: ESA - D. Ducros) The CEO of France-based launch company Arianespace says Europe will have to wait until the 2030s for a reusable rocket. Stephane Israel delivered the comments to a French radio station on April 8, the European Spaceflight newsletter reported (opens in new tab). Arianespace is currently preparing its Ariane 6 rocket for a test flight following years of delays. Europe's workhorse Ariane 5, which has been operational for nearly 30 years, recently launched the JUICE Jupiter mission and now has only one flight remaining before retirement. Related: Europe's long-awaited Ariane 6 rocket won't launch before late 2023 The European Astronauts are completely aligned with the concept of independent access to space - as witnessed by our manifesto. https://t.co/8MEgY2XnZiMarch 23, 2023 See more Ariane 6 will be expendable, despite entering development nearly a decade ago, when reusability was being developed and tested in the United States, most famously by SpaceX. "When the decisions were made on Ariane 6, we did so with the technologies that were available to quickly introduce a new rocket," said Israel, according to European Spaceflight. The delays to Ariane 6, however, mean that Europe lacks its own options for access to space. This issue was highlighted in a recent report (opens in new tab) from an independent advisory group to the European Space Agency. RELATED STORIES: -- Facts about the Ariane 5, Europe's heavy-lift rocket -- SpaceX rocket launches on record-setting 15th mission, lands on ship at sea (video) -- European Space Agency: Facts and information Israel stated that, in his opinion, Ariane 6 would fly for more than 10 years before Europe transitions to a reusable successor in the 2030s. Aside from Arianespace, Europe is currently fostering a number of private rocket companies, including Rocket Factory Augsburg, Isar Aerospace, PLD Space and Skyrora, with some of these rockets to be reusable. However the rockets in development are light-lift, whereas Ariane 6 and its possible successor are much more capable, medium-heavy-lift rockets. Follow us @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab), or on Facebook (opens in new tab) and Instagram (opens in new tab). Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Sign Up for e-mail newsletters Get breaking space news and the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions (opens in new tab) and Privacy Policy (opens in new tab) and are aged 16 or over. Andrew Jones Andrew Jones Social Links Navigation Contributing Writer Andrew is a freelance space journalist with a focus on reporting on China's rapidly growing space sector. He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI (opens in new tab). More about spaceflight jeremy hansen on stage in an astronaut flight suit. he holds a passport with his left hand and gestures to the audience with his right. behind are two large canadian flags Artemis 2 astronaut to carry Canada's flag at King Charles' coronation Four private Axiom Space Ax-2 astronauts post inside a space station mockup SpaceX won't launch next private astronaut crew for Axiom Space in early May after all Latest Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2 'Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2' director tells a ghost story in the galaxy far, far away (exclusive) See more latest > See all comments (3) [ ] 3 Comments Comment from the forums * Brad Maybe it's time to negotiate manufacturing rights for the Falcon 9/Falcon Heavy. It would cut years and cost off the process. Reply * Lahila Arianespace is proving to fall short of Europe's space ambitions: SpaceX is launching for Oneweb, even though Arianespace is only targeting EU national public launches. Why would SpaceX give up its monopoly for a company that never believed in reuse and always expected SpaceX's downfall? A France fault from any point of view. Reply * Brad Lahila said: Arianespace is proving to fall short of Europe's space ambitions: SpaceX is launching for Oneweb, even though Arianespace is only targeting EU national public launches. Why would SpaceX give up its monopoly for a company that never believed in reuse and always expected SpaceX's downfall? A France fault from any point of view. Whether or not the EU ever believed in reusability is beside the point. Spacex only has so many launch sites and only so many launch windows. It makes great business sense for them. The more rockets they build (directly or through licensing) the cheaper each one gets. Brings in royalties for years and sets up Spacex with long term support contracts. If you want access to space to be just like access to commercial flights, then you have to start thinking like airplane manufacturers and airlines. Reply * View All 3 Comments Most Popular [missing-im]How to watch the Flower Moon lunar eclipse today in a free livestream By Brett TingleyMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Giant proto-galaxy in early universe devours recycled material to birth new stars By Sharmila KuthunurMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Celebrate Star Wars Day with these Lego Star Wars deals at Amazon By Alexander CoxMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]'Star Wars: Return of the Jedi' 40th anniversary sees Admiral Ackbar at the helm of his own comic series By Jeff SpryMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]If dark matter is 'invisible,' how do we know it exists? By Robert LeaMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2 review: A braver and more consistent set of little stories By Fran RuizMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]New book reveals NASA photographer's unseen Mercury astronaut archives By Robert Z. PearlmanMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Europe won't have reusable rockets for another decade: report By Andrew JonesMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Carrie Fisher to finally receive her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on 'Star Wars' Day By Jeff SpryMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]Celebrate Star Wars Day with 22% off these Amazon Echo Dot bundles By Alexander CoxMay 04, 2023 [missing-im]'Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures:' Younglings now have an animated Disney Plus 'Star Wars' show (exclusive) By Jeff SpryMay 04, 2023 MORE FROM SPACE... 1. Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2 1 'Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2' director tells a ghost story in the galaxy far, far away (exclusive) 2. 2 Gargantuan 'superflare' from distant star may have launched one of the strongest solar storms ever seen 3. 3 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 review: The emotional sendoff the team deserved 4. 4 Artemis 2 astronaut to carry Canada's flag at King Charles' coronation 5. 5 SpaceX won't launch next private astronaut crew for Axiom Space in early May after all Space is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). * About Us (opens in new tab) * Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab) * Terms and conditions (opens in new tab) * Privacy policy (opens in new tab) * Cookies policy (opens in new tab) * Accessibility Statement (opens in new tab) * Topics (opens in new tab) * Advertise with us (opens in new tab) * Web notifications (opens in new tab) * Careers (opens in new tab) (c) Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.