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RATLOG Wants to Cut ~90% of a Rocket Engine’s Parts
Publication: Payload
Author: Victoria Woodburn
Source published: 16/10/2026, 12:00:00 UTC
Briefing created: 16/10/2026, 14:03:32 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 16/10/2026, 12:50:25 UTC.
Briefings
RATLOG, a German rocket startup founded by Dresden students, launched in October 2026 as part of Y Combinator's Fall 2026 batch. The company aims to eliminate approximately 90% of its rocket engine's parts by using a rotating detonation engine that spins the entire engine rather than just the flame. This approach avoids complex turbopumps, which are a leading cause of rocket failures. The startup secured a €30k ($34k) German government grant in April and has received letters of intent from orbital data center customers, positioning it as a potential alternative to Ariane 6. The team targets Falcon 9 specifications but plans to use a wider fairing. They aim to achieve flight-ready status by 2027, with the first hot-fire test scheduled for November 2028.
Key points
- RATLOG is a German startup founded by Dresden students who launched in October 2026 as part of Y Combinator's Fall 2026 batch.
- The company plans to eliminate approximately 90% of its rocket engine's parts by using a rotating detonation engine that spins the entire engine.
Context
RATLOG founders were motivated by limited job opportunities after graduation, leading them to build their own rocket engine startup. They secured a €30k grant in April and aim to become a cheaper, more available alternative to Ariane 6 in Europe.
Limitations
Timeline is ambitious with targets set for 2027 flight-ready status and November 2028 hot-fire test. Launch site options include Oman and UAE. Specific customer names and exact failure rates for turbopumps are not provided.
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