"Prometheus: Advancing Ultra-Low Cost Reusable Rocket Engines"
The development of a cost-effective, reusable Prometheus engine for European rockets has made significant progress, with successful tests achieving full ignition and a 30-second burn with re-ignition of an early prototype. The engine burns liquid oxygen-liquid methane fuel, enabling reusability and reducing ground operation costs. The use of new materials and manufacturing techniques is expected to reduce costs to a tenth of the current Vulcain 2 engine. Further testing will be conducted with additional prototypes, and parallel development of the Themis reusable rocket stage is also underway.