Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

NASA Spaceflight

NASA details Artemis progress across commercial lunar landers, surface habitats and SLS/Orion hardware

NASA’s latest Artemis updates span commercial robotic lunar landers, technology demonstrations for future surface habitats, and hardware development for the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. The agency’s progress report provides a cross-program view of preparations for Artemis III and subsequent missions to the Moon.

Space.com

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SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from California as West Coast cadence accelerates

SpaceX launched 24 Starlink internet satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from California’s central coast, continuing a surge of West Coast missions. The flight extends the company’s ongoing effort to expand its low-Earth-orbit constellation through frequent, repeatable launches.

NASA Spaceflight

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Relativity Space begins engine integration on reusable Terran R first stage

Relativity Space has begun integrating engines with the first-stage thrust structure of its reusable Terran R launch vehicle, marking a further development milestone for the company’s next-generation rocket as it advances the vehicle toward flight readiness.

Space.com

Starship likely to be lost at sea two weeks after 13th test flight, Musk says

SpaceX’s Starship is likely to be lost at sea roughly two weeks after its 13th test flight, according to Elon Musk. Despite the expected loss, teams obtained close-up images of critical heat-shield and engine regions that could inform future vehicle upgrades.

Space.com

Landspace targets Aug. 10 for second attempt to catch an orbital rocket

Chinese commercial launch company Landspace is preparing for its second attempt to catch an orbital rocket, with liftoff and the recovery maneuver targeted for Aug. 10. The test will put both the company’s launch architecture and its recovery approach under scrutiny.

CNBC

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SpaceX Shares Rally Toward $135 IPO Price After Lock-Up Expiration and First Earnings Report

SpaceX shares rose 12% after insider lock-up provisions expired, extending a nearly 19% weekly gain and bringing the stock close to its $135 IPO price. The rally followed the company’s first earnings report as a public company and a major release of previously restricted shares.

Payload

Redwire’s SpaceMD Books Up to 32 Mini-Labs on Future SpaceX Starfall Mission

Redwire subsidiary SpaceMD will fly up to 32 mini-labs aboard a future SpaceX Starfall mission, marking the reentry vehicle’s first dedicated mission. The agreement expands Redwire’s role in commercial microgravity research and establishes an initial payload commitment for Starfall’s planned operations.

Space Intel Report

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OHB warns Ariane 6 risks losing business without rapid European launch-capacity investment

OHB SE says Ariane 6 could lose German, European government and commercial launch business unless political authorities quickly approve a sharp expansion of capacity at Europe’s spaceport. The German space hardware provider argues that investment must come first if Europe is to capture growing demand and keep work within its space industry.