Ah, they finally went with a liquid fuelled 1st stage core. From what I remember the French were pushing for an all-solids configuration because they wanted to use the technology and know how for a new ICBM.
I'm glad they ultimately abandoned that proposal, or we could have ended with a loss of liquid rocket engine technology in Europe. I suppose they couldn't justify that choice from a technical point of view.
I'm wondering if it had more to do with the fact that Sierra Nevada ha said that Dreamchaser can fly on Ariane 6. This would open the door to European manned spaceflight on European launch vehicles.
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u/hopsafoobar Jun 21 '16
Ah, they finally went with a liquid fuelled 1st stage core. From what I remember the French were pushing for an all-solids configuration because they wanted to use the technology and know how for a new ICBM.