Reusability
China plans to make aging Long March rocket reusable and non-toxic
China’s main space contractor plans to revamp a highly successful, 30-year-old Long March rocket model to adapt to the trend towards reusability in the launch sector.
China could shift to fully reusable super heavy-launcher in wake of Starship
China’s launch vehicle makers appear to be designing a fully reusable version of the Long March 9 super heavy-lift rocket needed for future megaprojects.
Benchmark works with Space Forge to develop reusable engines
Benchmark Space Systems announced plans May 24 to produce engines in the United Kingdom and to work with U.K. startup Space Forge to develop reusable chemical propulsion systems.
Rocket Lab launches smallsats, catches but drops booster
Rocket Lab declared success in its effort to catch an Electron booster in midair after launch May 2, even though the helicopter had to release the booster moments later.
NASA shifts Earth science mission to previously flown Falcon 9
NASA’s embrace of reused rockets continued with an agreement this month to switch the upcoming launch of an Earth science satellite from a new to a previously flown Falcon 9, a change whose full terms remain proprietary.
Falcon 9 launches GPS satellite in first national security mission with reused booster
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a U.S. Space Force GPS 3 satellite June 17. The rocket lifted off at 12:09 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Upcoming SpaceX mission a reusability milestone for national security launch
The scheduled June 17 SpaceX launch of a GPS 3 satellite will be the first national security space mission to use a refurbished Falcon 9 booster.
SpaceX sets Falcon 9 fairing reuse mark with Starlink launch
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched another set of Starlink satellites May 26 on a launch that highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of the company’s reusability efforts.
Rocket Lab to make second booster recovery attempt
The next launch of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will be the second mission where the company attempts to recover the vehicle’s first stage as part of its efforts to reuse the booster.
SpaceX sets booster reuse milestone on Starlink launch
SpaceX launched a set of Starlink satellites May 9 on a Falcon 9 whose first stage was making its tenth flight, a long-awaited goal in the company’s reusability efforts.
