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SpaceX Bets $100 Billion on a Louisiana Starbase — With Construction Set for 2027
SpaceX plans to invest $100 billion in a new spaceport in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, with construction beginning in 2027 and Starship launches targeted for 2029. This ambitious project hinges on the successful development and reusability of the Starship rocket, which has yet to achieve full booster and upper stage recovery on a single flight. The new facility is crucial for scaling SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet business and future AI-focused constellations.
A Falcon 9 stage gouged a 60-foot crater into the Moon — and ULA finally has a new chief
A spent Falcon 9 upper stage created a 60-foot crater on the Moon, captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In leadership news, Mark Peller has become the new CEO of United Launch Alliance, taking over from Tory Bruno. The article also covers recent developments in rocket launches and failures from various companies including SpaceX, Innospace, and China's LandSpace, alongside updates on European and Chinese space programs.
Blue Origin CEO says New Glenn will fly again before the year ends
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp provided an update on the investigation into the New Glenn launchpad explosion. He stated that the rocket is expected to fly again before the end of the year.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket explodes on its launchpad
Blue Origin reported an anomaly that resulted in the explosion of its New Glenn rocket and its launchpad during a testing phase. The company is investigating the incident.
The FAA grounds Blue Origin New Glenn rocket after failure to put payload in orbit
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket after its third mission failed to place its payload into the intended orbit. The FAA is launching an investigation to determine the root cause of the mishap and ensure public safety before allowing the rocket to fly again. This grounding could impact Blue Origin's plans for launching Amazon Leo broadband satellites later this year.
Blue Origin landed its recycled New Glenn booster but failed to put payload in orbit
Blue Origin successfully landed and reused its New Glenn rocket booster for the second time on its third mission. However, the mission failed to place the AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into orbit due to an "off-nominal orbit" at too low an altitude. Despite the payload failure, the successful booster reuse marks a significant step for the company's reusability program.