Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

European Spaceflight

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Late satellite delivery pushes next Vega C launch toward Christmas Day

Avio’s chief says a delayed satellite delivery has shifted the next Vega C launch closer to Christmas Day. The timing change ties the launch schedule to payload arrival, with the mission now approaching a major holiday period.

Payload

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Drone makers attract major capital and expand production as military demand grows

Ukraine-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied customers. In France, Tekever opened a factory producing its AR3 and AR5 drones under a seven-year procurement agreement, while U.S. maker Powerus reported $130 million in signed orders and highlighted the cost gap between Patriot missiles and interceptor drones.

Ars Technica

Starship prepares for a historic test flight as Rocket Lab marks a century of Electron

The cluster highlights two launch-vehicle milestones: an upcoming Starship test flight described as historic and a century of Electron. The available report excerpt offers no further details on the planned test or what the Electron milestone counts.

Space.com

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ULA schedules Vulcan’s return to flight with 40 Amazon Leo satellites after nine-month gap

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral on Saturday at 12:32 p.m. EST, carrying 40 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation. The flight marks Vulcan’s return after a nine-month hiatus and will test an upgraded booster design in the rocket’s heaviest configuration.

European Spaceflight

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ESA says Prometheus engine tests were unrelated to Themis’ first-flight preparations

ESA and ArianeGroup said October’s Prometheus engine tests were not part of preparations for Themis’ long-delayed inaugural flight. The clarification separates engine testing from the flight-readiness effort for the reusable-launcher demonstrator; the articles provide no revised flight date or further explanation of the tests.

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX targets first Starship double catch on Flight 15, testing a rocket rated for 18 million pounds of thrust

SpaceX plans to launch Starship Flight 15 on Nov. 13, attempting the vehicle’s first double-catch landing. The test comes as the company says the rocket can generate up to 18 million pounds of liftoff thrust—more than twice the 7.5 million pounds of NASA’s Saturn V.

SpaceNews.com

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AST SpaceMobile argues it can field its own reusable launch vehicle within two years

AST SpaceMobile executives defended the company’s plan to develop a reusable launch vehicle, expressing confidence it can be ready to fly within two years. The timeline faces widespread skepticism, making the proposal a notable test of the company’s ability to add launch capability to its space business.

Space.com

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Pentagon backs Rocket Lab’s Neutron launch rate as Electron nears 100 flights and SpaceX pursues Starship milestones

A $150 million conditional Pentagon loan is intended to help Rocket Lab raise the launch cadence of its reusable Neutron rocket. The company is also approaching Electron’s 100th flight, while SpaceX is preparing a Starship test and pursuing an unprecedented recovery maneuver.