SpaceX is preparing for a historic test flight in Starbase, Texas, aiming to fully recover an orbital rocket for the first time. The ambitious test schedule includes a launch on Friday followed by an upper stage landing attempt roughly 22.5 hours later on Saturday afternoon local time.
Rocket Lab Reaches 100th Mission
Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle is scheduled to lift off from the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand on November 14 at 5:30 UTC, as reported by NASASpaceflight.com. This upcoming flight marks the 100th overall mission for the small rocket since its debut in 2017. Titled “The Mountain God Rises,” the mission will carry another synthetic aperture radar satellite into low Earth orbit for iQPS, featuring a special gold-and-black livery to celebrate the centennial milestone.
Questions Surround Vega C Future
European Spaceflight reports that Italian manufacturer Avio outlined the funding needed to boost Vega C launches to six and eventually nine flights annually during a market update last month. This capital requirement sparks debate over whether investing further in Vega C infrastructure is the most efficient use of resources, especially as new European aerospace startups prepare to deliver comparable launch capabilities.
The upcoming launch calendar features these missions alongside ongoing developments in small, medium, and heavy-lift rocket programs around the globe.
