Rocket Report: SpaceX’s next-gen booster fails; Pegasus will fly again
In the latest edition of the Rocket Report, Blue Origin continues to make waves in the aerospace industry following the successful launch and landing of its second New Glenn rocket on November 13. This achievement has not only bolstered the company’s reputation but has also set the stage for exciting developments ahead. Blue Origin unveiled a strategic roadmap aimed at enhancing the New Glenn rocket’s capabilities by incorporating additional engines, which promises to significantly increase its payload capacity and efficiency. This move aligns with the company’s long-term vision to compete in the growing commercial launch market, where reliability and performance are paramount. As Blue Origin pushes forward, it is clear that Jeff Bezos’ venture is becoming a formidable player in the space race.
Meanwhile, SpaceX is also making strides, particularly in South Texas, where preparations for the first flight of its next-generation Starship rocket are underway. This ambitious project aims to revolutionize space travel with its fully reusable design and ability to carry large payloads to various destinations, including the Moon and Mars. The ongoing developments in both companies highlight a dynamic period in the aerospace sector, with each pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the Rocket Report will take a brief hiatus, but readers can expect a wealth of updates when it resumes in December, ensuring they stay informed about the latest advancements in rocket launches and space exploration.
In other news, Katalyst Space Technologies has secured a noteworthy $30 million contract from NASA to develop a robotic rescue mission for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has been operational in low-Earth orbit since 2004. This mission is critical as the Swift observatory, designed to study gamma-ray bursts, is facing challenges due to its lack of a propulsion system and the effects of atmospheric drag on its orbit. To address this urgent need, Katalyst has selected Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket to launch the rescue craft next year, marking a significant collaboration in the realm of space technology. This contract not only underscores the importance of innovative solutions in extending the life of vital scientific instruments but also showcases the growing role of startups in the aerospace industry. As these developments unfold, they promise to shape the future of space exploration and satellite operations.
Welcome to Edition 8.20 of the Rocket Report! For the second week in a row, Blue Origin dominated the headlines with news about its New Glenn rocket. After a stunning success November 13 with the launch and landing of the second New Glenn rocket, Jeff Bezos’ space company revealed a roadmap this week showing how engineers will supercharge the vehicle with more engines. Meanwhile, in South Texas, SpaceX took a step toward the first flight of the next-generation Starship rocket. There will be no Rocket Report next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. We look forward to resuming delivery of all the news in space lift the first week of December.
As always, we
welcome reader submissions
. If you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
Northrop’s Pegasus rocket wins a rare contract.
A startup named Katalyst Space Technologies won a $30 million contract from NASA in August to build a robotic rescue mission for the agency’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in low-Earth orbit. Swift, in space since 2004, is a unique instrument designed to study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the Universe. The spacecraft lacks a propulsion system and its orbit is subject to atmospheric drag, and NASA says it is “racing against the clock” to boost Swift’s orbit and extend its lifetime before it falls back to Earth. On Wednesday, Katalyst announced it
selected Northrop Grumman’s air-launched Pegasus XL rocket
to send the rescue craft into orbit next year.
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