Articles tagged with "reusable-rockets"
What Would A SpaceX Public Offering In 2026 Look Like? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the potential public offering of SpaceX in 2026, highlighting a recent letter from CFO Bret Johnsen indicating plans to buy $2.56 billion of shares at $421 each—nearly double the previous internal valuation. This move hints at an initial public offering (IPO) that could raise over $30 billion, potentially making it the largest IPO ever and positioning SpaceX as the most valuable private company globally. Elon Musk, holding a 44% stake, stands to gain significant wealth, while the IPO is expected to fund ambitious projects such as increasing Starship flight rates, deploying AI data centers in space, building a Moonbase, and enabling crewed Mars missions, thereby advancing Musk’s vision of making humanity multi-planetary. SpaceX, founded in 2002 with the mission to explore space, has grown into a dominant aerospace company with a broad portfolio. Its Falcon 9 rocket, known for reusability and cost efficiency, supports a high launch cadence, while
energyspace-explorationaerospace-technologyreusable-rocketssatellite-internetSpaceXStarshipVarda says it has proven space manufacturing works — now it wants to make it boring
Varda Space Industries, led by CEO Will Bruey, has demonstrated that manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space is not only feasible but poised for rapid expansion. In February 2024, Varda became the third company ever to return materials from orbit, successfully bringing back ritonavir crystals, an HIV medication, produced in microgravity. The company uses small W-1 capsules launched as rideshare payloads on SpaceX missions, where a Rocket Lab spacecraft bus supports the manufacturing process. Microgravity conditions in orbit eliminate forces like sedimentation and gravity that interfere with crystal growth on Earth, enabling Varda to produce drug crystals with greater uniformity, purity, stability, and longer shelf life—benefits that could significantly improve existing pharmaceuticals. Bruey emphasizes that Varda’s core business is not about space exploration but about leveraging space as a new manufacturing environment, likening their technology to a “magic oven” with a “gravity knob” that allows unique drug formulations. The company is not developing new drugs but
space-manufacturingpharmaceuticalsmicrogravitycrystallizationreusable-rocketsspace-technologymaterials-scienceBlue Origin steps into Starship territory with massive New Glenn 9×4 super-heavy rocket
Blue Origin has unveiled a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket, named the New Glenn 9×4, marking a significant advancement toward higher-capacity orbital and lunar missions. This new model features nine BE-4 engines on the first stage and four BE-3U engines on the upper stage, increasing thrust and lifting capability compared to the existing 7×2 configuration. The 9×4 can deliver over 70 metric tons to low Earth orbit, more than 14 metric tons to geosynchronous orbit, and over 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection, placing it in the super-heavy class alongside SpaceX’s Starship. It also introduces a wider 8.7-meter fairing to accommodate larger satellites and multi-payload stacks, targeting missions such as mega-constellations, lunar exploration, and national security launches. Alongside the introduction of the 9×4, Blue Origin is upgrading the current New Glenn 7×2 variant with enhanced propulsion, structures
energyrocket-propulsionaerospace-engineeringreusable-rocketsspace-launch-systemsBE-4-enginelunar-missionsBlue Origin reveals a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket that is taller than a Saturn V
Blue Origin has unveiled a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket, dubbed New Glenn 9×4, which will be taller than the historic Saturn V and comparable in size to SpaceX’s Starship. This upgraded version features nine engines on the booster stage and four on the upper stage, an increase from the current New Glenn 7×2’s seven and two engines, respectively. The enhanced thrust will enable the rocket to carry over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, positioning it as a strong contender for large-scale missions such as mega-constellations, lunar and deep space exploration, and national security projects like Golden Dome. The new design also includes a significantly larger payload fairing to accommodate bigger cargo. Alongside the introduction of the New Glenn 9×4, Blue Origin has improved the existing 7×2 model by increasing its total thrust and adding reusable fairings to reduce turnaround time between launches. The company is actively competing with SpaceX for NASA lunar missions and
energyaerospacerocket-technologyspace-explorationreusable-rocketslaunch-vehiclespropulsion-systemsHow a startup is reinventing cryogenic rocket hardware
Astrophel Aerospace, a startup focused on reusable cryogenic rocket engines, is innovating turbopump technology to overcome one of rocketry’s toughest challenges: surviving extreme thermal gradients and mechanical stresses. Turbopumps must operate with one end exposed to turbine gases near 980°C and the other to cryogenic fuels below –180°C, spinning at 25,000 RPM. This creates severe material and design challenges, as thermal expansion mismatches can warp shafts, degrade seals, and seize bearings, often destroying engines and preventing reuse. Astrophel’s gas-generator-cycle turbopump, currently undergoing tests at ISRO facilities, aims to withstand 60–70 thermal cycles while eliminating battery packs, reducing mass, and delivering liquid oxygen at 4.1 kg/s with a pressure ratio of about 10. Unlike electric pump-fed engines that rely on heavy battery packs, Astrophel’s design uses a gas generator to burn a small fraction of propellant, driving the turbine and powering the
materialsaerospace-engineeringcryogenic-technologyturbopumpreusable-rocketsthermal-managementpropulsion-systemsBlue Origin sticks first New Glenn rocket landing and launches NASA spacecraft
Blue Origin successfully landed the booster of its New Glenn rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean during its second launch attempt, becoming the second company after SpaceX to achieve this milestone. The launch, which took place on Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, also marked the deployment of New Glenn’s first commercial payload: twin NASA spacecraft destined to study Mars’ atmosphere. This dual achievement is significant for Blue Origin’s efforts to establish New Glenn as a viable option for sending larger payloads to space, the Moon, and beyond, positioning the company as a competitor to SpaceX’s dominant launch services. The booster landing is a critical step toward making New Glenn reusable, a capability that reduces launch costs and is essential for commercial and government missions. Blue Origin had faced delays and a failed booster landing during New Glenn’s maiden flight in January but made necessary fixes in coordination with the FAA to ensure success on this second attempt. Looking ahead, Blue Origin must demonstrate the ability to refurbish and relaunch the
energyspace-explorationreusable-rocketsBlue-OriginNASArocket-landingaerospace-technologyBlue Origin lands New Glenn rocket booster on second try
Blue Origin successfully landed the booster of its New Glenn rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean during its second launch attempt, becoming the second company after SpaceX to achieve such a milestone. This accomplishment marks a significant step toward making the New Glenn rocket a viable option for delivering larger payloads to space, including missions to the Moon and beyond. The launch took place on November 13, 2025, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with the booster touching down approximately 10 minutes after liftoff. In addition to the booster landing, the New Glenn’s upper stage carried Blue Origin’s first commercial payload: twin spacecraft for NASA designed to study Mars’ atmosphere. These spacecraft were scheduled for deployment later the same day. The successful landing follows a failed attempt during New Glenn’s maiden flight in January, when the booster exploded before it could land. Blue Origin’s achievement demonstrates progress in reusable rocket technology and advances its position in the competitive space launch industry.
energyspace-technologyrocket-boosterBlue-OriginNew-Glennaerospacereusable-rocketsSpaceX’s Starship: The world’s most powerful rocket explained
SpaceX’s Starship is currently the world’s most powerful rocket, designed to enable human missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Its Super Heavy booster, equipped with 33 Raptor engines, generates about 16 million pounds of thrust—more than twice that of the Saturn V and significantly exceeding NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). Starship aims to deliver up to 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) in a reusable configuration and up to 200 tons expendably, surpassing the payload capacities of previous heavy-lift rockets. A key innovation is its full reusability: both the booster and the upper stage are designed to return safely and be reused, a capability scaled up from SpaceX’s earlier Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets. The Starship program has evolved through several versions since its inception in 2012. Version 2 marked a significant improvement with increased height, propellant capacity, and advanced Raptor engines, alongside design enhancements like a
energyaerospacerocket-technologyreusable-rocketsspace-explorationpropulsion-systemsSpaceXChina’s new reusable rocket prepares to challenge Elon Musk's SpaceX
China’s private aerospace company Space Pioneer has successfully completed a critical full-scale ground test of its Tianlong-3 reusable rocket, marking a major milestone toward its planned maiden flight later in 2025. The test involved firing nine Tianhuo-12 engines simultaneously for 35 seconds, generating about 1,102 tons of thrust. The 72-meter tall, medium-lift Tianlong-3 is designed to be partially reusable and capable of carrying 17 to 18 tonnes to low Earth orbit, putting it in direct competition with SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket aims to support China’s ambitious broadband satellite constellations, Guowang and Qianfan, which plan to deploy over 13,000 satellites each but have faced delays partly due to launch vehicle shortages. Tianlong-3 is one of several Chinese reusable rocket projects progressing toward operational status this year. Rival private company LandSpace is developing the Zhuque-3, expected to launch between September and November 202
energyreusable-rocketsspace-launchaerospace-technologysatellite-deploymentrocket-enginesspace-industryRocket Lab and Blue Origin have entered SpaceX's arena
The article highlights the emerging competition challenging SpaceX's longstanding dominance in the medium-lift rocket launch market. Rocket Lab, a New Zealand and US-based company, recently opened its first launch pad for the Neutron rocket at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Neutron is a reusable medium-lift vehicle designed to restore balance to the sector, which has been dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for nearly a decade. With a payload capacity of 13,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and innovative features like a reusable captive fairing called the "Hungry Hippo," Neutron aims to compete directly with Falcon 9’s proven reliability and high launch cadence. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to push boundaries with its Starship rocket, which recently completed a successful tenth integrated flight test, deploying Starlink simulator satellites and demonstrating controlled splashdowns of both its upper stage and booster. Falcon 9 remains the industry benchmark with over 530 flights and a success rate of approximately 99.44%. Blue Origin
energyspace-technologyreusable-rocketsRocket-LabSpaceXNew-GlennFalcon-9SpaceX gets the green light to more than double its Florida launches
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed an environmental review allowing SpaceX to more than double its Falcon 9 rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, increasing the annual limit from 50 to up to 120 launches. The approval also includes a new on-site landing zone capable of handling up to 34 booster landings per year, facilitating faster turnaround by reducing reliance on offshore drone ship landings. The environmental review concluded a “Mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact,” meaning the expansion would not significantly harm the environment, provided SpaceX implements specific measures such as wildlife surveys, sea turtle-friendly lighting, and additional environmental permits. This approval is a critical step but not the final one; SpaceX still requires FAA license modifications and Department of the Air Force approval since the launch site is on Space Force property. The increased launch capacity addresses SpaceX’s growing launch manifest, which includes commercial, military, and Starlink satellite missions, and follows a recent surge in Falcon
energyaerospaceSpaceXrocket-launchesFalcon-9reusable-rocketsenvironmental-impactWith Starship Flight 10, SpaceX prioritized resilience over perfection
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 10 test emphasized resilience and fault tolerance over flawless performance, marking a key step toward achieving rapid, full reusability for missions to Mars and beyond. The flight intentionally introduced faults to evaluate critical systems such as the heat shield, propulsion redundancy, and engine relighting capabilities. Engineers removed heat shield tiles and tested new actively cooled tiles to assess how much damage the vehicle could endure during atmospheric reentry, addressing one of the biggest engineering challenges for reusability. Additionally, the Super Heavy booster demonstrated engine-out capability by disabling one center Raptor engine during landing burn and successfully using a backup engine, while the in-space relight of a Raptor engine was confirmed for the second time, crucial for deep-space missions. These tests align with NASA’s stringent safety requirements for crewed lunar missions under the Artemis program, which depends on a heat shield that can survive reentry and reliable orbital engine restarts. NASA has contracted SpaceX for a lunar Starship variant, aiming for
energyaerospace-engineeringreusable-rocketsheat-shield-materialspropulsion-systemsSpaceXRaptor-engineSpaceX’s Starship makes history with its most successful test yet
SpaceX’s Starship achieved a major milestone on its 10th test flight, marking the company’s most successful trial to date after a series of setbacks. Launching from Starbase, Texas, the 403-foot rocket executed a smooth ascent with flawless stage separation. The Super Heavy booster successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, testing alternative landing methods rather than the previously used tower catch system. This mission demonstrated key capabilities, including the deployment of mock Starlink satellites from Starship’s payload bay—an important first that showcased the rocket’s potential as a cargo delivery vehicle for future satellite constellations. The flight also featured a successful reignition of a vacuum-optimized Raptor engine, only the second time this maneuver has been completed, advancing Starship’s goal of full reusability. Reentry, historically a challenging phase, was deliberately made demanding to test new heat shield materials and the rocket’s rear flaps under extreme conditions. Despite visible damage to one flap, Starship survived
energymaterialsspace-technologyrocket-propulsionsatellite-deploymentreusable-rocketsheat-shield-materialsThe next Starship flight will test much more than hardware
SpaceX is preparing for its next Starship test flight from South Texas, aiming to recover from a series of recent setbacks including the breakup of the upper stage during reentry and the booster’s explosion during landing attempts. The last flight, nearly three months ago, marked progress but ended with significant losses. Subsequent ground testing mishaps forced hardware replacements and delayed the program. The Federal Aviation Administration has cleared investigations related to the previous flight, allowing SpaceX to proceed. This upcoming flight is critical not only for testing hardware but also for demonstrating SpaceX’s ability to learn from failures and achieve new milestones in its iterative “build-fly-fix-repeat” development approach. Starship remains central to SpaceX’s long-term ambitions, including NASA’s Artemis program, which relies on a Starship variant to return astronauts to the Moon by mid-2027. To meet this goal, SpaceX must perfect several challenging technologies such as the reusable heat shield, in-orbit cryogenic propellant transfer, and lunar
materialsenergyspace-technologyreusable-rocketsaerospace-engineeringSpaceXStarshipReusable Rockets Are All The Rage In China. Now Honda Wants In On The Fun. - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the growing momentum in China’s reusable rocket industry, following SpaceX’s pioneering efforts in rocket recovery and reuse. Traditionally, the first stage of rockets, which is the most expensive part, was discarded after launch, often sinking into the ocean. Reusing these stages significantly reduces the cost of space access. China has embraced a competitive, market-driven approach to space technology, with numerous companies—including Sepoch, Landspace, Space Pioneer, and the state-owned CASC—vying to develop recoverable rockets. Notably, Sepoch recently completed a successful test flight of a reusable liquid oxygen-methane rocket, achieving a smooth launch, controlled descent, and soft landing at sea. Landspace also conducted a powerful static fire test of its Zhuque-3 rocket, which uses methane-oxygen engines and stainless steel construction. In addition to these established players, Honda R&D, a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, has entered the fray, successfully testing a smaller experimental reusable rocket. This
energyreusable-rocketsspace-technologyrocket-recoveryaerospace-materialsliquid-oxygen-methane-propulsionstainless-steel-rockets