Recently, Porsche has invested in a German startup called Isar Aerospace, which is working on a lightweight launch vehicle with 3D printed parts, including key propulsion components. The first launch is scheduled for 2022.
German journalists are excited to call the startup a competitor to SpaceX, but at present Isar Aerospace is focused on another segment of the aerospace market: launching relatively small satellites using inexpensive light launch vehicles. The main competitor in this niche is the U.S.-New Zealand company Rocket Lab, which has been successfully launching commercial payloads since 2018 (its first partially successful launch dates back to 2017). The company also uses 3D-printed engines. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket can launch up to 200 kg into sun-synchronous orbit. Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launch vehicle will be more powerful and can deliver up to 700 kg of cargo to the same altitude. This would not be enough to launch a car into space, as SpaceX once did, but would certainly be acceptable for commercial and research satellites.
The first stage of the 27-meter-high launch vehicle will use nine Aquilla SL engines, while the second stage will use only one Aquilla VAC engine. The company plans to produce up to 80% of the components in-house using additive technologies, with a focus on 3D metal printing. The startup uses laser powder 3D printers from Electro-Optical Systems (EOS GmbH). The devices are used to produce combustion chambers and nozzles.
Isar Aerospace has already received more than $180 million. In addition to Porsche, investors include the venture arm of Airbus and Bülent Altan, a former SpaceX engineer who led a team of avionics engineers for Falcon rockets and Dragon spacecraft. In addition, the startup is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center after winning the Boost! competition, which aimed to improve the state of private space in Europe.
The place is based in Munich and plans to use the Andøya Rocket Range in Norway for launches. It may be too far north, but it is good for launches into polar or near-polar orbits. Funds will go in part to research the reusability of rockets. Reusable launch systems are the current trend: Blue Origin, SpaceX and the aforementioned Rocket Lab are actively pursuing the technology. The cost of the launch has not yet been announced. For example, the cost of launching one Electron vehicle is about 7.5 dollars.
Links:
https://www.porsche-se.com/en/news/press-releases/details/news/detail/News/porsche-se-investiert-in-raketentechnologie-start-up-isar-aerospace
https://www.iflscience.com/space/porsche-enters-space-race-investing-start-up/
https://www.assignmentpoint.com/science/astronomy/porsche-enters-space-race-by-investing-in-rocket-start-up.html