NASA’s Mars Sample Return Mission Is Already Facing a Serious Cash Crunch
NASA’s quest to return rocky samples from the surface of Mars to Earth in 2033 is already running up the bill, with the project needing a lot more money than…
Desperate to Launch: Europe Looks to SpaceX as Rocket Woes Continue
Europe’s navigation satellites are in desperate need of a ride to space, so much so that the European government is seeking to forge deals with U.S. companies to provide much-needed…
3D-Printed Rocket Didn’t Reach Orbit, but Relativity Space Is Already Building Its Successor
After its rocket failed to reach orbit last month, California-based Relativity Space doesn’t want to dwell on the past. Instead, the company is leaping forward with its next launch vehicle,…
China Inches Closer to SpaceX Tech With Successful Vertical Landing Demo
Guangzhou-based company CAS Space recently flew a small rocket outside a Chinese coastal city before landing it upright on a sea-based platform. The successful test flight and landing could eventually…
China’s Space Pioneer Becomes First Private Company to Reach Orbit During Debut Launch
Chinese company Space Pioneer established a pair of milestones this past Sunday, becoming the first startup to successfully reach orbit on its first attempt, and the first Chinese company to…
China Takes a Small Step Towards Improving Its Falling Rockets Problem
China is developing a parachute system to help control where its rocket boosters land instead of free-falling onto the ground near populated areas. Taking out the Trash (in Space) Off…
For Europe, This Upcoming German Rocket Can’t Arrive Soon Enough
German company Isar Aerospace has raised $165 million in order to ramp up the development of its Spectrum rocket, which is scheduled for its debut launch later this year. For…
Is Rocket Lab the SpaceX Competitor We’ve Been Waiting For?
SpaceX’s partially reusable Falcon 9 is currently in a class by itself, but rival companies are hoping to end the rocket’s near-monopolistic hold on the spaceflight industry. One such company…
The Past Four Months Have Been Rough on Rockets—Especially New Ones
RS-1 engines engaged.Photo: ABL Space Systems Approximately 5,200 gallons of Jet Fuel A—a kerosene-based fuel—spilled onto the surrounding environment, in addition to hydraulic, mineral, and lubricating oils, ash, burned batteries,…
Why the First Launch of a 3D-Printed Rocket Wasn’t a Total Failure
Screenshot: Relativity Space In addition to passing Max-Q, the mission managed to complete main engine cut-off (MECO), stage separation, and the ignition of the lone second-stage Aeon vacuum engine. Roughly…