To get enough fuel into #orbit for a #Mars mission would require at least 10 launches of the #SLS rocket, or about $20 billion . Just for the fuel. To use traditional propulsion, one needs to push the boundaries of #reuse and heavy lift rockets to extreme limits—which is precisely what #SpaceX is trying to do with its fully reusable launch system https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/report-nasas-only-realistic-path-for-humans-on-mars-is-nuclear-propulsion

At least seven new private #rockets, all featuring vertical recovery and #reusability , are aiming to reach #orbit in 2025 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3290445/spacex-and-7-dwarves-chinese-space-firms-line-enter-reusable-rocket-race

10:25 Hotstage Ring recovery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXzEs0IfXmw

The inaugural flight of #FROG-H is expected to take place in early 2025. #CNES is also aiming to complete an initial test flight of the #Callisto #reusable rocket demonstrator in 2025. The 13-metre-tall reusable rocket demonstrator will be launched from the #GuianaSpaceCentre https://europeanspaceflight.com/cnes-to-test-upgraded-frog-reusable-rocket-demonstrator-in-2025/

#DeepBlue Aerospace #Nebula1 landing https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/09/a-chinese-rocket-narrowly-missed-a-landing-on-sunday-the-video-is-amazing

#LandSpace’s 10km vertical take-off, vertical landing (#VTVL) test in #China’s Gobi Desert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNichfWXPoM

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3278193/landspaces-zhuque-3-reusable-rocket-test-breakthrough-china-space-race

#ESA and its member states forked over $4.4B to develop #Ariane6. Customer launches are unlikely to pay back development costs any time soon.

#SpaceX has invested over $5B in #Starship R&D to date. Starship has proven its expendable capability, and the company is focusing on achieving full #reusability .

#NASA spent a dizzying $24B developing #SLS
https://payloadspace.com/rocket-development-costs-by-vehicle-payload-research

One might think that #European launch officials would have learned their lesson. But not everyone got the message. The #Ariane6 will cost significantly more than the #Falcon9 rocket, which has similar capabilities. It likely will not realistically compete with a fully reusable Falcon 9. To say #Starship will not be a game-changer represents the same head-in-the-sand attitude displayed a decade ago. These officials #ignored the rise of #reusability https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/06/some-european-launch-officials-still-have-their-heads-stuck-in-the-sand