NASA Spaceflight
• Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra
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.
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Rocket Lab launched the Japanese Earth-observing satellite on the mission “The Grain Goddess Provides,” following a five-week delay. The company had first attempted to launch the mission on June 30; the launch was documented with video and photographs.
A Redwire subsidiary focused on space biotechnology and pharmaceuticals has agreed to fly dedicated microgravity research payloads aboard SpaceX’s Starfall reentry vehicle. The mission will provide a purpose-built platform for biotech and pharmaceutical experiments in the space environment.
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