Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Startup Racing SpaceX to Mars Accused of Unsafe, Amateur Practices

A private startup racing SpaceX to Mars faces allegations its development and launch practices are unsafe and amateurish, with employees saying “we knew better as untrained college students.” Regulators and industry observers are reportedly scrutinizing the program’s technical and procedural readiness for interplanetary flight.

2025-11-19T13:06:11.641085-08:00

SpaceNews.com

DARPA awards Redwire $44M Phase‑2 contract to advance Otter air‑breathing VLEO demonstrator

2025-11-19T06:28:07.165881-08:00

Space Intel Report

Canada pledges C$528.5M to European Space Agency — tenfold increase to deepen EU ties and boost domestic space sector

2025-11-18T14:12:17.687721-08:00

Ars Technica

After last week’s successful landing, what’s next for Blue Origin’s launch ambitions?

2025-11-17T11:31:45.187444-08:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Reuters

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Blue Origin unveils super‑heavy nine‑engine New Glenn to boost payloads ahead of Flight 3 Blue Origin announced upgrades to its New Glenn launcher, including a new super‑heavy, nine‑engine variant — taller than a Saturn V — and higher thrust beginning with its next mission. The changes are designed to raise payload capacity and more closely align New Glenn's performance with SpaceX's Starship.

2025-11-20T09:00:43.070535-08:00

Blue Origin unveils super‑heavy nine‑engine New Glenn to boost payloads ahead of Flight 3

Space.com

SpaceX Transporter‑15 to launch 100+ smallsats on massive international rideshare — live SpaceX's Transporter‑15 rideshare will place more than 100 small satellites into orbit, carrying a highly international manifest of varied spacecraft types and sizes. The mission underscores continuing demand for low‑cost, frequent rideshare access; a live webcast will cover liftoff and deployment.

2025-11-20T06:11:20.094061-08:00

SpaceX Transporter‑15 to launch 100+ smallsats on massive international rideshare — live

European Spaceflight

The Exploration Company acquires Thrustworks to boost additive-manufacturing capacity The Exploration Company has acquired German additive-manufacturing firm Thrustworks to expand its production capacity. The purchase brings Thrustworks’ 3D‑printing facilities and expertise into the start‑up’s manufacturing footprint, accelerating parts production and overall manufacturing throughput.

2025-11-20T05:53:45.535789-08:00

The Exploration Company acquires Thrustworks to boost additive-manufacturing capacity

valleycentral.com

Starbase City Commission clears way for SpaceX to collect $7.5 million tax refund The Starbase City Commission voted Wednesday to clear the way for SpaceX to collect a $7.5 million tax refund tied to its Starbase, Texas development, approving municipal action during a Wednesday night meeting that allows the company to recover local taxes associated with its operations.

2025-11-20T00:24:27.909370-08:00

Starbase City Commission clears way for SpaceX to collect $7.5 million tax refund

European Spaceflight

SpaceForest sets 22 November for PERUN return-to-flight after propulsion redesign Poland’s SpaceForest will attempt the inaugural launch of its PERUN rocket on 22 November following a redesign of its propulsion system. The flight is a return-to-flight validation of new engine hardware as the company presses toward operational small‑launcher capability.

2025-11-19T23:44:29.033655-08:00

SpaceForest sets 22 November for PERUN return-to-flight after propulsion redesign

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX tears down Starbase Pad 1 to fast‑track Block 3 upgrades as FAA clears 25 Starship launches in 2025 SpaceX is demolishing Starbase Pad 1 to build taller, multi‑engine Block 3 Starships and is upgrading pads across Starbase, Pad 2 and KSC. An FAA clearance for 25 Starship launches in 2025 enables orbital‑refueling and booster‑catch demos and a stepped‑up test cadence.

2025-11-19T20:49:05.434696-08:00

SpaceX tears down Starbase Pad 1 to fast‑track Block 3 upgrades as FAA clears 25 Starship launches in 2025

Ars Technica

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Startup Racing SpaceX to Mars Accused of Unsafe, Amateur Practices A private startup racing SpaceX to Mars faces allegations its development and launch practices are unsafe and amateurish, with employees saying “we knew better as untrained college students.” Regulators and industry observers are reportedly scrutinizing the program’s technical and procedural readiness for interplanetary flight.

2025-11-19T13:06:11.641085-08:00

Startup Racing SpaceX to Mars Accused of Unsafe, Amateur Practices

SpaceNews.com

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Katalyst selects Pegasus rocket for NASA-backed Swift reboost mission Katalyst, the startup contracted by NASA to raise the decaying orbit of the Swift astronomy satellite, has selected the rarely used Pegasus rocket to carry out the reboost mission. The decision fixes the vehicle and provider for the time-sensitive life‑extension operation.

2025-11-19T06:46:44.758673-08:00

Katalyst selects Pegasus rocket for NASA-backed Swift reboost mission

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