Launch
Stories about the companies building a ride to space.
Letara Raises ¥2.6B to Build its Hybrid Rocket Engine Tech
Japanese propulsion startup Letara closed a ¥2.6B ($16M) pre-Series A round to fund the development of its low-cost, hybrid engine tech.
Portal Books Dedicated Falcon 9 Amid Constrained Launch Market
While Thornburg said Portal is expected to take up about half of the fairing with its own spacecraft, it’s working with launch integrator Maverick Space Systems to sell the other half to customers looking for rideshare opportunities in a turbulent market.
SEOPS Doubles Down on Waymaker Dedicated Rideshare Program
The end of SpaceX’s Transporter program could leave a giant hole for space startups looking for cost effective rides to orbit. SEOPS is trying to fill it.
Rocket Lab Enters Europe’s Crowded Launch Market
European launch companies are in for a surprise next month when they get back from holiday. While they were out, Rocket Lab moved into their turf.
Firefly Announces Record Q2 Results
Firefly Aerospace ($FLY) posted its first-ever $100M+ quarter on Tuesday, backed by a fresh slate of launch and defense announcements.
Rocket Lab Unveils GHOST on a Record Quarter
Rocket Lab ($RKLB) unveiled a deployable launch system—dubbed GHOST—designed to enable responsive launch from anywhere in the world.
AFRL Adds $11.7M to Blue Origin’s Point-to-Point Cargo Contract
Blue Origin landed a $11.7M increase to its AFRL contract to study how its launcher can be used to complete point-to-point delivery missions.
Payload Field Guide: European Launchers
Europe is firing on all fronts to stand up new launch capabilities, but the continent isn’t moving as fast as it might hope.
Rocket Lab Expands to Alaska with $266M Launch Contract
Rocket Lab will open up a new launch site at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska (PSCA) in Kodiak. Launches are expected to begin no earlier than the end of this year.
Starship Sticks the Water Landing on Flight 13
SpaceX flew the 13th test flight of its Starship rocket Friday evening, ending with the first intact Starship put in the water.
Skyroot Aerospace Reaches Orbit with Vikram-1 Rocket
Skyroot Aerospace became the first private Indian company to reach orbit on Saturday, when its Vikram-1 rocket lifted off from India’s primary spaceport—the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
DoD Adds $11.4B to NatSec Launch Contracts
The DoD upped its ceiling for national security space launches on Friday, more than tripling the pool of NSSL launch contracts from $5.6B to $17B.
Spinifex Space Launches With Australian Test Ranges
Spinifex Space will provide end-to-end suborbital launch campaigns, private range access, and test and evaluation (T&E) infrastructure.
