Ariane Next
| Function | Partially reusable launch vehicle to low Earth orbit |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ArianeGroup |
| Country of origin | European multi-national |
| Size | |
| Stages | 2 |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Ariane |
| Comparable | Falcon 9 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Under development |
| Launch sites | Guiana Space Centre |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 7 to 9 × Prometheus |
| Propellant | LOX / CH4 |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 1 × Prometheus |
| Propellant | LOX / CH4 |
Ariane Next is a future European partially reusable launch vehicle planned to succeed Ariane 6, with an entry into service in the 2030s. The objective of the new launcher is to halve the launch costs compared with Ariane 6. Principal technologies for Ariane Next are being developed under the EU-funded Project SALTO's VTVL demonstrator Themis programme, the joint CNES-DLR-JAXA VTVL demonstrator CALLISTO project, and the ESA-funded Prometheus methane-fueled rocket engine development project. ArianeGroup plans to use Prometheus first on the smaller, partially reusable Maia rocket, developed by its subsidiary MaiaSpace.