Tag: reusable rockets
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Voyager Technologies to Acquire Astrobotic in Deal Valued at Up to $300 Million
Voyager Technologies has agreed to acquire lunar exploration company Astrobotic Technology in a transaction valued at up to approximately $300 million, as the space infrastructure company seeks to expand its role in supporting future lunar missions and long-term Moon operations. The deal, which is expected to close by early July 2026 pending regulatory approvals, will…
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China debuts tallest rocket as LandSpace eyes second landing try
What milestone did China achieve with its rocket program this month? China successfully debuted its tallest rocket while launching three missions for a single internet constellation this month, marking a significant escalation in the country’s commercial space capabilities. The missions represent China’s most ambitious clustered deployment for broadband services, with LandSpace simultaneously preparing for its…
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Chinese Falcon 9 Clone Fails as Artemis II Approaches Reentry
What happened to China’s Falcon 9 competitor and Artemis II’s status? China’s attempt to replicate SpaceX’s reusable rocket success hit a major setback this week, with an unspecified failure affecting their Falcon 9-inspired vehicle development program. Meanwhile, NASA’s Artemis Program mission continues smoothly as the four-person crew aboard Orion prepares for the most critical phase…
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ISpace Raises $730 Million To Accelerate Reusable Rocket Development
Chinese commercial space company ISpace has raised about 5 billion yuan ($730 million) in a funding round it described as the largest to date for a private aerospace firm in China, as demand for satellite launches surges. The Beijing-based company, formally known as Interstellar Glory Aerospace Science and Technology, said the Series D++ round closed…
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China’s Reusable Long March-12B Rocket Completes Static Firing Test
China’s reusable Long March-12B rocket has successfully completed a static firing test, marking a key milestone ahead of its planned flight missions, its developer said on Friday. The test was conducted at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China and involved a full-duration engine firing while the rocket remained anchored to the…
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ESA Delays First Themis Hop Test Until Spring as Sweden Site Remains Snowbound
The European Space Agency (ESA) said it is waiting for spring conditions to conduct the first hop test of its Themis reusable rocket booster demonstrator, after winter weather delayed preparations at the launch site in northern Sweden. The Themis vehicle has been stationed at the Esrange Space Centre near Kiruna since mid-2025, but heavy snow…
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China’s Landspace Secures Launch Contracts for Guowang and Qianfan Megaconstellations
Chinese commercial launch startup Landspace has secured formal contracts to launch satellites for China’s two main low Earth orbit megaconstellation projects, a move expected to help ease launch capacity constraints as deployment accelerates. Chinese media reported on Jan. 7 that Landspace had won launch service contracts for the Guowang constellation, led by state-owned China Satellite…
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China Set for First Attempt to Recover Rocket First Stage With Zhuque-3 Launch
China is set to attempt the recovery of a rocket’s first stage for the first time on Nov. 29, according to an airspace closure notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The launch is scheduled to take place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, with the designated landing zone for the first…
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China Unveils Action Plan to Boost Commercial Space Firms and Overseas Expansion
China’s space agency has released a two-year action plan aimed at accelerating the growth of its commercial space sector and encouraging private companies to expand overseas and participate in international cooperation, according to a policy document issued this week. The plan, released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Tuesday, calls on Chinese commercial…
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SpaceX is stretching the lifetime of its reusable Falcon 9 boosters
The late-night liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket with another batch of Starlink Internet satellites on Sunday set a new record for the most flights by a SpaceX launch vehicle, with a first-stage booster flying for a 16th time. SpaceX now aims to fly its reusable Falcon 9 boosters as many as 20 times, double…