SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Jones
A new group of Chinese commercial launch companies is pursuing electric-pump-fed liquid engines, signaling an emerging propulsion trend in the country’s private space sector. The effort could broaden the technology base available to Chinese launch providers as they develop competing commercial space transportation systems.
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Latest source-backed stories
A new group of Chinese commercial launch companies is pursuing electric-pump-fed liquid engines, signaling an emerging propulsion trend in the country’s private space sector. The effort could broaden the technology base available to Chinese launch providers as they develop competing commercial space transportation systems.
France’s CNES has published a call for proposals to replace ageing launch-tracking equipment at the Guiana Space Centre with three automated optical tracking turrets. The upgrade is intended to modernize optical monitoring capabilities supporting rocket launches from Europe’s primary spaceport.
High activity
SpaceX is scheduled to conduct four orbital launches this week, including Crew-13 to the ISS, a Falcon Heavy mission for the NRO and Transporter-18 with 130 payloads. The activity coincides with satellite-sector financing and development milestones from Astro Digital, Sateliot and India’s GalaxEye.
High activity
The Pentagon and Space Force are advancing commercial capabilities for GEO surveillance, maneuverable satellite communications and faster space-domain awareness, while DIU and DARPA launch or plan competitions for low-cost ISR and heavy-lift drones. The initiatives combine rapid procurement mechanisms with emerging operational concepts for contested environments.
Meridian Space is separating from kinetic launch technology developer SpinLaunch to independently pursue flat, reflect-array satellites designed to launch up to 250 at a time on a Falcon 9. The company is targeting governments, regional satellite operators and telecom companies with turnkey networks priced below $1 billion.
Star Catcher says its prototype orbital power node is prepared for launch on a SpaceX Transporter mission targeted for no earlier than Oct. 1. The mission will demonstrate the company’s power-beaming technology in orbit.
Chinese launch startup Deep Blue Aerospace has secured nearly $300 million to support development of its reusable Nebula rocket family. The company is also testing an upgraded rocket engine, combining fresh capital with propulsion work as it advances its commercial launch ambitions.
High activity
Starship reached orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight and deployed 26 V3 Starlink satellites using its “Pez dispenser” system. An engine shutdown forced SpaceX to end the planned 10-hour mission early, bringing the fully reusable vehicle home ahead of schedule.
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