Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Payload

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Drone makers raise capital, expand European production and report growing defense orders

Ukrainian-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied countries. In France, TEKEVER has opened a Cahors factory under a €200 million investment plan and a seven-year agreement for AR3 systems, while U.S. maker Powerus reported $130 million in signed orders.

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

High activity

ULA returns Vulcan to flight with 40 Amazon Leo satellites, its heaviest configuration

United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket is set to launch 40 Amazon Leo broadband satellites from Cape Canaveral, marking the vehicle’s first flight since February. Liftoff was delayed to 12:32 p.m. EST Saturday; the mission uses Vulcan’s heaviest configuration and is a major deployment for Amazon’s satellite network.

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.

Ars Technica

High activity

AST SpaceMobile calls rocket-building “simple,” says it is not doing it for love of rockets

AST SpaceMobile characterizes building a rocket as “simple,” while saying it is not pursuing the effort because it likes rockets. The available report provides no details on the vehicle, its development plans or how the effort fits the company’s broader strategy.