Rocket Report: A quick fix for Ariane second stage issue; Musk escalates FAA feud
- by Ars Technica
- Sep 20, 2024
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Welcome to Edition 7.12 of the Rocket Report! For once, a week with not all that much launch news. Among the highlights were Eutelsat's surprise announcement of a deal with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, SpaceX's ongoing war with the FAA, and Europe identifying a straightforward solution to the upper stage problem on Ariane 6's debut launch earlier this summer.
As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
Small launch vehicles still talking a big game. Despite stiff competition from SpaceX rideshare services and some high-profile failures, ventures are still pursuing small launch vehicles that they argue can fill niches in the market, Space News reports. Launch providers speaking at World Space Business Week said they can deliver satellites when and where customers want rather than waiting for the next available rideshare launch from SpaceX.
Same old story ... For example: "We offer flexibility," said Miguel Belló Mora, executive chairman of Orbex, a small launch vehicle developer based in the United Kingdom. "We can’t compete on price per kilo." We wish these small launch companies well, but this is the same kind of talk that has been around for years. The reality is that the small launch business has small margins, and is extremely demanding. It also doesn't engender confidence that most of these companies are still not close to having an operational rocket. (submitted by Ken the Bin)
Iran launches Qaem-100 rocket again. After an initial failure in 2023, Iran has now successfully launched the small, solid rocket Qaem-100 for a second time, Al Mayadeen reports. Iran successfully launched the domestically produced Chamran 1 satellite into a 550-km orbit on Saturday, according to state media.
Purpose of launches is questioned ... Iranian officials said the primary mission of Chamran 1 is to test hardware and software systems, specifically to demonstrate orbital maneuvering capabilities in terms of altitude and phase. Western governments, including the United States, have consistently cautioned Iran against conducting such launches, claiming the technology used could be repurposed for ballistic missiles. (submitted by MarkW98 and Ken the Bin)
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