Italian rocket maker Avio plans to set up its first solid motor production facility in the United States in 2028 to capture growing demand in the space and defense markets.
  • burble@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    19 hours ago

    Avio seeks to provide additional capacity to the industrial base for large solid rocket motor boosters in the United States

    For what rockets? SLS and Vulcan are the only American rockets with SRBs. Also still Minotaur, but I’ll keep ignoring that. So, does Avio want to compete with Northrop for SLS and Vulcan?

    • threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.worksOPMEnglish
      1·
      18 hours ago

      SLS and Vulcan are the only American rockets with SRBs.

      No, that can’t be right… there’s also, uh, also… hmm, so you’re correct.

      They do mention that the “core focus would be on missiles for U.S. government tactical needs” and that the space side of things was more of an afterthought. Maybe they’re anticipating that some of the upcoming liquid fueled rockets will want to strap on some SRBs for a bit of extra performance?

      • burble@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        2·
        12 hours ago

        This isn’t Kerbal Space Program, they can’t just stick some SRBs on as an afterthought.

        Maybe Terran R will keep slowly turning into Ariane R, including some Vega SRBs. Or Avio will copy Northrop’s homework and bid VegA for a DoD contract. Or they want to steal SLS BOLE. Or… or they’re cool with just selling rockets for missiles and reminding people that they also do launch vehicles.