Ars Technica
• Eric Berger
Ars Technica examines the competition to develop medium-lift launch capability in the United States, asking whether there is a clear contender seeking to win. The article is framed as a guide to the race, but the available summary provides no program, company or schedule details.
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Latest source-backed stories
The U.S. Space Force plans to modernize its busiest launch ranges so they can eventually handle surges of five to eight major operations a day. The effort is aimed at preventing aging range infrastructure from becoming a bottleneck as space activity grows.
Elon Musk said SpaceX will try to catch both Starship’s upper stage and its Super Heavy booster in November, marking the company’s first attempt to recover the two vehicles at the launch site. The maneuver is a key step in SpaceX’s push to make the launch system reusable.
Ars Technica examines the competition to develop medium-lift launch capability in the United States, asking whether there is a clear contender seeking to win. The article is framed as a guide to the race, but the available summary provides no program, company or schedule details.
Blue Origin said its cumulative investment in Florida launch, processing and assembly infrastructure has exceeded $3 billion, supporting plans for higher-cadence New Glenn operations. The announcement comes as the company takes outside funding at a reported $140 billion valuation and Jeff Bezos weighs the longer-term path to a potential public listing.
High activity
SpaceX reported third-quarter revenue of $14.6 billion, more than double the year-earlier figure, and profit that surpassed estimates. Its AI business was a major growth driver; the company’s server-rental unit reportedly expanded 800%, though commentary cautioned that returns could ease as chip shortages subside.
Live coverage of SpaceX’s third-quarter 2026 earnings is tracking revenue, Starlink’s growth, AI spending and revenue, Starship developments, company guidance and SPCX stock. The updates also follow speculation about a possible merger, though the provided summary does not confirm any transaction.
High activity
Three aerospace startups announced financing and expansion plans across orbital servicing, autonomous aviation and launch. China’s Space Robot raised nearly $15 million after a 2025 technology-demonstration launch; Reliable Robotics added $115 million in equity and $25 million in debt to its Series D; Canada’s Reaction Dynamics plans to raise C$350 million and hire nearly 300 people as it develops the Borealis rocket for a 2031 debut.
Create a free account to see more recent Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
