Rocket Report: Chinese launch firm raises big money; Falcon 9 back to the Bahamas
Ars Technica • • science
Key Points:
- NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is undergoing a second countdown rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center to address hydrogen leak issues that previously cut short fueling tests, determining whether the Artemis II lunar mission can launch next month or face delays.
- Several US allies, including Germany, Spain, the UK, Canada, and Australia, are investing heavily in sovereign launch capabilities to ensure national security and independent access to space, with Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg preparing for a new launch attempt after a previous test failure.
- The United Arab Emirates successfully launched its first domestically developed hybrid rocket, marking progress toward indigenous propulsion and orbital launch capabilities, while China’s LandSpace and iSpace companies advance reusable rocket technologies with upcoming launches and record funding rounds.
- SpaceX
