Tag: rocket-report
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Rocket Report: Iran launches satellite; Artemis II boosters get train ride
Welcome to Edition 6.13 of the Rocket Report! While SpaceX waits for regulatory approval to launch the second full-scale test flight of its Super Heavy booster and Starship rocket, NASA’s contractors took two steps forward this week to prepare for the second launch of the government-owned Space Launch System on the Artemis II mission, which…
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Rocket Report: Two small launchers fail in flight; Soyuz crew flies to ISS
Welcome to Edition 6.12 of the Rocket Report! Two of the world’s most successful small satellite launchers suffered failures this week. We’ve seen many small launch companies experience failures on early test flights, but US-based Rocket Lab and China’s Galactic Energy have accumulated more flight heritage than most of their competitors. Some might see these…
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Rocket Report: New Shepard may fly soon; ULA changes mind on DoD competition
Welcome to Edition 6.11 of the Rocket Report! There’s a lot going on this week, including the completion of pre-flight tests by two companies developing reusable small launch vehicles. On the larger end of the spectrum, NASA is installing engines onto its second Space Launch System rocket, and SpaceX appears to be on track to…
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Rocket Report: Japan launches Moon mission; Ariane 6 fires up in Kourou
Welcome to Edition 6.10 of the Rocket Report! A Japanese spacecraft has joined the international flock of missions traveling to the Moon this year, but you’ll need to practice patience on this one. It will take about four months for Japan’s small lander to get into lunar orbit, then more weeks to align with the…
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Rocket Report: DOJ sues SpaceX; a look inside doomed Spaceport Camden
Welcome to Edition 6.08 of the Rocket Report! The US Department of Justice is taking SpaceX to court over allegations of hiring discrimination, but the government is relying more than ever on SpaceX’s technical prowess. Once again, Elon Musk’s social media posts are part of the story. This week, we also cover the successes and…
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Rocket Report: DOJ sues SpaceX; a look inside doomed Spaceport Camden
Welcome to Edition 6.08 of the Rocket Report! The US Department of Justice is taking SpaceX to court over allegations of hiring discrimination, but the government is relying more than ever on SpaceX’s technical prowess. Once again, Elon Musk’s social media posts are part of the story. This week, we also cover the successes and…
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Rocket Report: Russian rocket lands like an airplane; SpaceX steamroller rolls
Welcome to Edition 6.07 of the Rocket Report! I spent a few days last week in southern New Mexico, visiting Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic’s facilities there. I felt a renewed sense of optimism about the company’s future among the people there and pride in reaching a more operational cadence of missions. Here’s hoping they…
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Rocket Report: Astra layoffs; next SLS core stage needs repairs
Welcome to Edition 6.06 of the Rocket Report! This week’s news in space lift includes ups and downs for small launch companies, yet another record for SpaceX’s blistering launch cadence, and some non-news on Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket that still bears mentioning. We also provide updates on the world’s two super-heavy lift rockets—NASA’s Space Launch…
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Rocket Report: Lack of transparency on Ariane 6, drastic cuts Down Under
Welcome to Edition 6.05 of the Rocket Report! This week’s newsletter has the distinction of including not one, but two items of news from Australia. Unfortunately, one of the items suggests rough waters lie ahead for the country’s young commercial space industry. As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss…
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Rocket Report: Starbase comes alive again; China launches four times
Welcome to Edition 6.04 of the Rocket Report! SpaceX has a Super Heavy booster on the launch pad in Texas a lot sooner than many thought. There was some pretty extensive damage at the launch site in the aftermath of the Starship test launch in April, but SpaceX made quick work with repairs and upgrades…