$AVIO (-0.06%)

MUNICH (IT BOLTWISE) - The European space industry is set for an exciting development as Avio emerges as a leader in a challenging year. Despite the low number of launches in 2024, the potential of European space players is evident as the industry focuses on new technologies and collaborations.

The European space industry has seen some notable developments in 2024, with Avio standing out as a leader. The Italian company consolidated its position with two successful rocket launches, including the final flight of the Vega rocket and the return of the Vega C. These successes underline the importance of Avio in what has been a challenging year for the European space industry as a whole.

However, competition in Europe remains strong, as ArianeGroup also achieved important milestones with the successful debut of the Ariane 6 rocket. This rocket is set to play a central role in European missions in the coming years. Germany is also showing ambitions with Isar Aerospace and Bayern-Chemie, with the latter specializing in the development of solid upper stages for sounding rockets.

India has also made significant progress with the successful completion of a space docking demonstration mission on a PSLV rocket. This mission, known as SpaDeX, will demonstrate India's rendezvous and docking technology capability, which is critical for future manned space missions and lunar missions.

In France, startup HyPrSpace has attracted attention by successfully conducting a hot run test for its Terminator stage demonstrator. The company is developing a two-stage launch vehicle called Orbital Baguette One, which can transport up to 250 kilograms into low Earth orbit. These developments show the potential of the European space industry to hold its own in an increasingly competitive global market.

The global space sector set a new record for orbital launches in 2024, driven by SpaceX's activities. With 259 orbital launch attempts, a 17% increase on the previous year, the industry's momentum is evident. SpaceX alone conducted 134 launches, more than the rest of the world combined, underlining the company's dominance in this area.

Russia reached a significant milestone with the 2,000th launch of a rocket from the R-7 family. This family of rockets has a long history dating back to the 1950s and is a symbol of the enduring importance of Russian space technology. Nevertheless, the reliance on this old technology also highlights the challenges facing the Russian space program in terms of innovation and competitiveness.

China plans to launch new Long March rockets and commercially developed launch vehicles in 2025 to expand its launch capabilities. These developments are expected to improve China's access to space and increase launch frequency in the coming years. New rocket models such as the Long March 8A and Long March 12A are expected to be launched to meet the requirements of the country's mega-constellation projects.

In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allocated additional frequencies for launch applications to support the growth of launch activities. This decision is intended to make it easier for new competitors to access the required frequencies and improve communications with launch and re-entry vehicles.

Blue Origin has taken another step towards its long-awaited launch with the successful static fire test of the New Glenn rocket. The ignition of the seven main engines marks an important milestone for the company, which plans to recover the rocket's first stage on a drone ship in the Atlantic after launch.

https://www.it-boltwise.de/europaeische-raumfahrt-avio-fuehrt-trotz-herausforderungen.html

$GE (-1.3%)
$AVIO (-0.06%)

GE Aerospace has had a new turboprop engine certified. Thanks to 3D printing, the performance figures are impressive.

Donald Trump will only be moderately enthusiastic about this: US engine giant GE Aerospace has had a new, highly efficient turboprop engine certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The flagship "Catalyst" engine is said to consume 18% less fuel. At the same time, it allows a 10% higher cruising speed. And who designed/built it? Europeans!

Several GE subsidiaries were involved in the development of the engine, above all Avio Aero from Italy. The parts came mainly from Turin, Warsaw, Prague, Bielsko-Biała and Cameri.

A third of the internal components are printed

The engine's exceptional key figures are made possible thanks to additive manufacturing. According to 3Dprint.com, almost a third of the internal components are built up in layers. This saves a lot of weight. But that is not the only advantage: assembly and maintenance costs are also significantly reduced. Where previously 855 individual parts were assembled, twelve printed components are now used.

The fuel costs for turboprop engines are between $250 and $600 per hour. Around 1800 turboprop aircraft are currently delivered every year in the USA alone.

Catalyst is the first turboprop engine of the 21st century to be certified to the latest standards. Riccardo Procacci, President and CEO, Propulsion and Additive Technologies at GE Aerospace, said: "The certification of the Catalyst engine is a significant milestone for our company and a proud moment for all of our team members who have dedicated themselves to the design, development and testing of this brand new European turboprop engine."

GE Aerospace is also active in the defense sector

GE Aerospace is a global leader in aerospace propulsion, services and systems with an installed base of around 45,000 civil and 25,000 military aircraft engines. The number of employees currently stands at around 53,000 and the Group's metal printing operations are largely based on German technology. GE Additive, now Colibrium, acquired Concept Laser GmbH from Lichtenfels in 2016. However, Concept founder Frank C. Herzog is still very active in the field of additive manufacturing:

https://www.ingenieur.de/technik/fachbereiche/3d-druck/gedrucktes-triebwerk-verbraucht-18-weniger-treibstoff/