{"id":16210,"date":"2025-03-18T17:27:53","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T17:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1412673"},"modified":"2025-03-18T17:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T17:27:53","slug":"ex-arianegroup-ceo-backs-pangea-to-build-3d-printed-aerospike-rocket-engines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=16210","title":{"rendered":"Ex-ArianeGroup CEO backs Pangea to build 3D-printed aerospike rocket engines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aerospike rocket engines are the stuff of legend in the space industry. Conceived in the 1960s, their unique spiked-nozzle design promises better efficiency, reusability, and performance at all altitudes. But their complexity \u2014 and the <\/span>shutdown<\/span><\/a> of major space programmes towards the end of the 20th century \u2014 meant they never entered the mainstream. <\/span><\/p>\n

But now, startups are dusting off old designs and using new technologies to revive aerospike engines for modern spaceflight. One of these ventures is Spain\u2019s Pangea Aerospace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Founded in 2018, Pangea has been operating under the radar for most of its seven-year history. But today, the company announced a <\/span>\u20ac23mn Series A funding round as it looks to ramp up development of its 3D-printed aerospike rocket engine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the investors was Andr\u00e9-Hubert Roussel, former CEO of ArianeGroup, who oversaw the development of Europe\u2019s only heavy-lift rocket in operation, <\/span>Ariane 6<\/span><\/a>. Roussel joined Pangea\u2019s board last year. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c<\/span>It\u2019s incredibly valuable to have such a figure investing in and advising us as we embark on our next stage of growth,\u201d Pangea\u2019s CCO and co-founder <\/span>Xavier Llair\u00f3 told TNW. <\/span><\/p>\n

Roussel praised the company\u2019s plans on <\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>. \u201c<\/span>Strong team, strong technology, building the future of space propulsion,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

An aerospike rocket revolution?<\/h2>\n

In 2021, Pangea successfully conducted a hot-fire test of Demo-P1, the world\u2019s first aerospike methalox engine.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been silently making breakthroughs in <\/span>cooling techniques, additive manufacturing, and materials science that are now paying off,\u201d said <\/span>Llair\u00f3<\/span>. \u201cWe\u2019re sure we can produce aerospike engines at a low cost.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n