Test & learn in Action
Link to the videoTest & Learn in Action
Test
24.03.2026
In both stages of the Maia launcher, the liquid oxygen and liquid methane tanks are separated by a shared wall, known as a common bulkhead. In most launchers, the two tanks are completely separate, with an air gap between their bottoms.
๐โ๐ฆ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐?
Because using a common bulkhead reduces the launcherโs dry mass at liftoff, which directly contributes to improved performance and lower launch costs.
Of course, this comes with challenges. The common bulkhead must withstand the pressure and temperature differential between the oxygen and methane tanks. To validate the design, MaiaSpace teams carried out a series of tests, applying various pressure differentials while replacing the liquid propellants with water.
To complete the campaign, the teams decided to push the structure all the way to failure in order to identify its true limits.
The result?
The structure performed far better than expected. This allows us to reduce design margins on the tanks, ultimately improving the launcherโs overall performance.
A notable side effect: the welds held so well that the performance actually validated at the final rupture came as a surprise to everyone watching the test - as you can easily see on the face on the video below ๐
๐โ๐๐กโ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ก & ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐:
๐ฌ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ โ ๐ญ๐๐ฌ๐ญ โ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ง โ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ โ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐.
Step by step, test by test, we refine the design and make the launcher stronger, lighter, and more cost-efficient.
