Tag: launch infrastructure
-
China Advances Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return Mission Into Prototype Development
China’s Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission has entered prototype development, with two Long March 5 launches planned for late 2028 or early 2029 and the return of approximately 500 grams of Martian material targeted for around 2031. If successful, Tianwen-3 could become the first mission to deliver samples from Mars to Earth, while supporting China’s…
-
SpaceX Commits $100 Billion to Build Starbase Louisiana, Expanding Starship Launch Capacity
SpaceX has announced plans to invest approximately $100 billion in the construction of Starbase Louisiana, a massive new Starship launch complex on Louisiana’s Gulf Coast that would become the company’s largest spaceflight operations center and one of the most ambitious commercial space infrastructure projects ever proposed. The development is intended to support thousands of Starship…
-
Sea Launch Revival Targets Range Bottlenecks and Defense Needs
Why Are Launch Companies Turning Back to the Ocean? Launch range congestion is driving renewed investment in sea-based platforms, with proponents citing two critical advantages: unlimited launch azimuths and enhanced military resilience against targeted strikes. Unlike fixed spaceports constrained by geography and air traffic, ocean platforms can position anywhere for optimal orbital insertions while avoiding…
-
Blue Origin Targets New Glenn Return to Flight Before End of 2026 After Launch Pad Explosion
Blue Origin plans to return its New Glenn rocket to flight before the end of 2026 despite an explosion last week that generated shockwaves reportedly comparable to a small earthquake and caused damage at the company’s launch complex. Following an assessment of Launch Complex 36A and surrounding infrastructure, Blue Origin Chief Executive Officer Dave Limp…
-
PLD Space Invests €35 Million in Launch Complex at Guiana Space Centre
PLD Space has announced plans to invest €35 million ($40.8 million) in the development of its launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana. The investment will be carried out between 2025 and 2026 and is intended to support the company’s upcoming Miura 5 launch vehicle program. First Private Operator at…
-
US Launch Infrastructure Faces 7,000 Satellite Annual Demand by 2030s
Can US Launch Infrastructure Handle 7,000 Satellites Per Year? The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) projects annual satellite deployments could reach 7,000+ by the mid-2030s, creating a capacity crunch that current US launch infrastructure cannot support. The “SCRUBBED: America’s Launch Capacity Challenge” report, developed with Rational Futures, identifies critical bottlenecks in domestic launch capabilities as mega-constellations…