Esa’s reusable rocket engine prototype approaches test stage

Space agency contractor will assemble model of rocket-engine combustion chamber in June

The European Space Agency’s low-cost Prometheus engine, currently in development by French aerospace company ArianeGroup, is gearing up for testing.

ArianeGroup will put the finishing touches to a model of the engine’s combustion chamber this month and is developing a full-scale prototype of the engine for on-the-ground testing, due to start in early 2021, said Esa in a 4 June statement.