Eco-design challenge: Autophage propulsion awarded by Connect by CNES
Autophage rocket: a more Sustainable Solution ?
The Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) has launched an ambitious initiative, challenging companies to pioneer innovative solutions that reduce the environmental footprint of space products and services. We’re thrilled that our project, alongside those of companies like Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, Pangea Aerospace, and SpaceDreams, has been awarded funding to explore the Eco-Design of the Combustible Structure of the Hybrid Combustion Autophage Launcher.
Autophage propulsion minimizes launchers’ environmental impact
Our autophage rocket offers a profound design change. The core concept behind autophage technology is that the rocket’s fuel serves as its structure. During flight, the engine consumes the rocket’s body, similar to how a flame burns a candle. This approach offers compelling environmental benefits:
Lower fuel requirement: The rocket is significantly lighter and burns approximately 50% less fuel to reach orbit.
Lower manufacturing footprint: Eliminating staging systems, fuel tanks, and secondary engines greatly simplifies manufacturing processes.
And we’re still pushing boundaries
Our current design marks a substantial advance in reducing rockets’ environmental impact, and we are not stopping there. Through an ongoing life cycle analysis, we determined that most of our footprint comes from burning solid fuel grain during flight. Like traditional rocket fuel, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) produces a significant amount of soot, and our ongoing research is dedicated to finding alternative fuels that maintain top performance while minimizing environmental impact. Beyond propellant, we’re also optimizing production and manufacturing processes for the fuel and the fuel structure.
CNES is setting an inspiring example: “Addressing environmental challenges is essential. This initiative is designed to spark innovation and deliver solutions that drastically reduce the environmental impact of space systems.”
The call for proposal for the Eco-Conception challenge
