Articles tagged with "rocket-technology"
Artemis II rocket displays America 250 logo as NASA nears moon flight
NASA is preparing for its Artemis II mission, set to launch in early February 2026, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis II now features a new “America 250” decal on its solid rocket boosters, commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This patriotic addition accompanies NASA’s iconic worm logo, symbolizing the agency’s historic and ongoing space exploration efforts. The Artemis II mission will serve as a critical crewed test flight of the SLS and Orion spacecraft, with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen onboard. Artemis II aims to fly astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon, similar to Apollo 8, and will be the longest crewed test flight in history. The mission is expected to break records for the furthest human spaceflight from Earth, with the Orion capsule traveling
energyspace-explorationNASAArtemis-IIrocket-technologylunar-missionSpace-Launch-SystemBlue 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-systemsSpaceX’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-systemsSpaceXSpaceX’s Second-Gen Starship Signs Off With a Near-Perfect Test Flight
SpaceX successfully completed the final test flight of its second-generation Starship (V2) rocket, marking a significant milestone before transitioning to the next iteration, Version 3, expected next year. The 404-foot-tall stainless steel rocket launched from South Texas, powered by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines generating 16.7 million pounds of thrust, and followed its flight plan nearly flawlessly. This 11th full-scale Starship test flight was arguably the most successful to date, achieving all mission objectives, including a precise splashdown attempt of the reused Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico. Although one engine on the booster failed during descent, it did not affect the overall success of the flight. The flight also demonstrated improvements in Starship’s heat shield technology, notably the expanded use of a “crunch wrap” material designed to seal gaps between ceramic tiles and protect the rocket’s stainless steel skin from superheated plasma during reentry. This innovation appeared effective based on initial observations
energyaerospacerocket-technologySpaceXpropulsion-systemsmethane-fuelstainless-steel-materialsUS team develops nuclear propulsion concept to shorten Mars trip
Ohio State University engineers have developed a novel nuclear thermal propulsion concept called the centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR), which uses liquid uranium to directly heat rocket propellant. This design aims to double the efficiency of conventional nuclear thermal rockets, achieving a specific impulse of around 1800 seconds—significantly higher than the 450 seconds typical of chemical engines and 900 seconds of older nuclear models. The enhanced efficiency could reduce round-trip Mars missions to approximately 420 days, with the potential for one-way trips in just six months, thereby addressing the critical issue of prolonged astronaut exposure to space hazards. Beyond Mars, the CNTR’s powerful thrust and flexibility in propellant choice—including ammonia, methane, propane, or hydrazine—could enable faster missions to outer planets and Kuiper Belt objects, supporting both crewed and robotic exploration. The ability to utilize in-space resources could also facilitate sustainable space presence. However, the technology faces significant engineering challenges such as ensuring stable engine operation, minimizing uranium fuel loss
energynuclear-propulsionspace-explorationMars-missionrocket-technologyliquid-uraniumthermal-rocketSpaceX notches major wins during tenth Starship test
SpaceX achieved significant progress during the tenth test flight of its Starship rocket, marking a turnaround after a series of prior failures. The 403-foot vehicle launched from Starbase, Texas, powered by 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines, and successfully separated its Super Heavy booster about three minutes after liftoff. Notably, the booster demonstrated a new landing maneuver by intentionally switching from primary to backup engines during descent, culminating in a targeted splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the upper stage, known as Starship, reached space and for the first time opened its payload bay doors to release eight Starlink mass-simulator satellites, a capability previously unproven in flight. The upper stage also successfully reignited a Raptor engine in orbit and reentered the atmosphere, testing its upgraded thermal protection system under extreme heat. SpaceX conducted various experiments during reentry, including testing new tile materials and configurations on the vehicle’s exterior. Importantly, the Starship maintained communication with
energymaterialsaerospaceSpaceXrocket-technologythermal-protection-systemsatellite-deploymentAnduril, Blue Origin to study how to transport cargo from orbit to earth for the Pentagon
Blue Origin and Anduril have secured study contracts from the U.S. Air Force under the Rocket Cargo program, aimed at exploring technologies to transport military cargo globally via rockets. Blue Origin received $1.37 million, and Anduril $1 million, under the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) initiative. These contracts represent initial steps toward potentially transforming Pentagon logistics by enabling rapid, orbital-based cargo delivery, with the Air Force seeking to procure such capabilities through service-type contracts akin to commercial airline agreements. Blue Origin’s contract focuses on analyzing how its technology could support point-to-point material transportation, leveraging its facilities in Merritt Island, Florida. Anduril’s contract involves studying the development of a reentry container capable of carrying 5 to 10 tons of payload between Earth and orbit, emphasizing the need for a thermal protection system and compatibility across multiple platforms. Reentry technology is challenging due to the extreme conditions of atmospheric reentry, and few vendors
energyaerospacerocket-technologycargo-transportreentry-systemsmilitary-logisticsspace-materialsSpaceX redesigns Starship's grid fins to improve stability, control
SpaceX has redesigned the grid fins on its Super Heavy booster, part of the Starship system destined for Mars, to enhance stability and control during descent. The new design replaces four smaller fins and a landing fin with three larger, 50% bigger and stronger grid fins featuring a honeycomb-like structure. These fins, among the largest aerodynamic control surfaces ever built for a rocket, enable the booster to descend at steeper angles with improved maneuverability. The fins are also repositioned lower on the booster to align with the launch tower’s catch arms, allowing the rocket to be caught directly during landing—eliminating the need for a landing pad—and to protect the fins from engine heat. Internal components like the fin shafts are now housed inside the main fuel tank for added protection. This redesign follows recent test flight failures, including a May incident where the Super Heavy booster crashed into the Gulf of Mexico after failing to return to the launchpad, and a June explosion of the upper stage during ground testing.
materialsaerospace-engineeringSpaceXrocket-technologyaerodynamic-control-surfacesgrid-finsspacecraft-designSpaceX faces two new lawsuits alleging safety‐related retaliation
Two former SpaceX employees, Robert Markert and David Lavalle, have filed separate wrongful-termination lawsuits alleging retaliation linked to safety concerns and workplace injuries. Markert, a 13-year veteran, claims he warned SpaceX about dangerous practices in the rocket fairing recovery process that prioritized cost savings over safety, but was ignored and later fired. He also alleges that technicians endured punishing work schedules with insufficient training, leading to unreported injuries. Lavalle, a plumber at SpaceX since 2014, alleges he was terminated shortly after requesting medical leave for gout-related knee pain and claims the company failed to accommodate multiple work-related injuries. He further alleges age discrimination tied to a wave of firings under a younger senior manager. These lawsuits come amid SpaceX’s rapid development of its Starship rocket and ongoing Falcon 9 launches, highlighting concerns about workplace safety at the company. Data from OSHA shows SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas had an injury rate nearly triple the aerospace manufacturing average in
energyaerospaceSpaceXrocket-technologyworker-safetysatellite-internetStarshipAuriga Space raises $6M to shoot rockets off an electromagnetic launch track
Auriga Space, a California-based startup, has raised $6 million to develop an innovative electromagnetic launch track designed to revolutionize space launches by significantly improving efficiency and reducing costs. Unlike traditional rockets that rely heavily on propellant to overcome Earth's gravity, Auriga’s system uses powerful magnets to accelerate a small rocket to hypersonic speeds along a ground-based track. The rocket exits the track at over six times the speed of sound and ignites its engine only for the final push to orbit. This approach not only saves propellant but also enables rapid reusability of the launch infrastructure. The company has raised a total of $12.2 million through venture capital and Department of Defense grants, with recent funding led by OTB Ventures. Auriga’s technology builds on concepts similar to rail guns and maglev systems but leverages recent advancements in power electronics to make the idea commercially viable. While the exact design parameters, such as track length and rocket size, are still being finalized, the company acknowledges challenges
energyelectromagnetic-launchrocket-technologyspace-launchpower-electronicshypersonic-speedreusable-launch-systems‘Major Anomaly’ Behind Latest SpaceX Starship Explosion
SpaceX's latest Starship rocket, designated Ship 36, exploded during a ground test at the company's Starbase facility in South Texas late Wednesday night. The explosion occurred shortly after the vehicle was loaded with super-cold methane and liquid oxygen propellants in preparation for a static fire test of its six Raptor engines. SpaceX described the incident as a "major anomaly" involving a high-pressure nitrogen tank, or composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV), inside the payload bay. Preliminary data suggests this nitrogen COPV failed below its proof pressure under conditions that should not have caused damage, marking a potential first failure of this design. All personnel were evacuated safely, and local authorities responded to the scene. The blast, visible and felt up to 30 miles away, dealt a significant setback to SpaceX's Starship program, which has faced multiple prototype losses during testing since 2020. The explosion also disrupts operations at Massey's Test Site, the only facility where SpaceX conducts proof
energySpaceXrocket-technologypropulsion-systemsmethane-fuelliquid-oxygenaerospace-materialsStarship mishap: Elon Musk’s woes continue with huge explosion before flight 10
SpaceX experienced a significant setback when the upper stage of its Starship Ship 36 exploded on the launch pad during a static fire test on June 18, 2025, delaying the planned tenth flight of the Starship rocket. The explosion occurred about 30 minutes after the propellant loading began at the company’s Starbase facility in southern Texas. Despite the dramatic event, SpaceX confirmed that no personnel were injured and no nearby property was damaged. The incident adds to a series of explosive failures that have challenged the Starship program, which is designed to enable human missions to the Moon and Mars. This latest mishap raises concerns about the Starship program’s ability to meet its ambitious schedule, especially given its critical role in NASA’s Artemis missions. The Artemis 3 mission, currently slated for 2027, depends on a modified Starship Human Landing System to return humans to the Moon for the first time since 1972. Elon Musk had previously indicated plans for a robot-crewed Star
robotspace-explorationrocket-technologyaerospace-engineeringSpaceXMars-missionlunar-landerWorld’s first art-painted rocket launched into outer space by China
In a groundbreaking collaboration, contemporary artist Jacky Tsai and Chinese aerospace company LandSpace launched the world’s first fully art-painted orbital rocket, the Zhuque-2 Enhanced (ZQ-2E Y2). Standing nearly 50 meters tall, the rocket was entirely covered with vibrant aerospace-grade paints depicting the ancient Chinese legend of Chang’e flying to the moon. The artwork, which flows continuously from nose to base, integrates traditional Eastern storytelling with bold, modern visual techniques, transforming the rocket into a unified visual narrative rather than mere surface decoration. This project required innovative materials and close cooperation between artists and engineers to ensure the paint could withstand extreme launch conditions without compromising the rocket’s performance. The successful launch and orbit insertion of the ZQ-2E Y2 validated this pioneering fusion of art and aerospace engineering, proving that complex visual art can be integrated into space vehicles without affecting functionality. Painted segments recovered after stage separation serve as tangible artifacts symbolizing the intersection of science and storytelling. This initiative redefines
energyaerospacematerialsrocket-technologyaerospace-engineeringaerospace-paintsspace-launch