ORBIT SPACE News SA

12/12/2025

Relativity Space's Terran R reusable rocket is targeting its first launch for late 2026, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aiming to offer large payload capacity and cost-effective access to orbit with its unique 3D-printed design. The company is making progress on production and testing, having completed key components like the thrust section for the first flight vehicle.

12/12/2025

Stoke Space is rapidly advancing its fully reusable "Nova" rocket, securing $510 million in funding (Oct 2025) to scale manufacturing and complete development, having recently achieved major milestones like the first hotfire test of its full-flow, staged-combustion engine and completing engine/structural testing. They are also refurbishing Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14 for activation in early 2026, preparing for high-cadence launches and demonstrating their unique, rapid reusability for medium-lift missions.

12/12/2025

Long Beach, California. December 8, 2025 – Rocket Lab Corporation a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the Neutron launch vehicle’s innovative “Hungry Hippo” captive fairing has successfully completed qualification testing and is enroute to Virginia for Neutron’s first launch. Dubbed the Hungry Hippo, Neutron’s fairing halves remain attached to the rocket’s first stage throughout launch and landing back to Earth – a world-first for a reusable commercial rocket. Whereas typical rockets’ fairing halves fall away during launch and are disposable or require collection at sea for reuse, Neutron’s fairing halves open to release the rocket’s second stage and mission payload before closing again to return Neutron to Earth as a single reusable vehicle – enabling rapid and cost-effective reuse and streamlining operations for a high-cadence launch service for commercial, civil, and national security missions 🚀

12/12/2025

On December 15, 2025, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will be carrying 27 satellites for the Amazon Leo broadband constellation, on the Amazon Leo 4 (LA-04) mission. These satellites are part of Amazon's project (formerly named Project Kuiper) to establish a network of more than 3,200 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide global broadband internet access, particularly to unserved and underserved communities. 🚀

07/12/2025

05/12/2025

China has several reusable rockets in development from both state and commercial entities. The most relevant upcoming launch is likely the state-developed Long March 12A, which is targeting a first orbital launch and landing attempt in December 2025.

03/12/2025

The maiden flight of the Zhuque-3 rocket successfully reached orbit today, December 3, 2025 (UTC), but the first-stage recovery attempt failed when the booster crashed and caught fire near the landing site.

02/12/2025

Following its predecessor, the ZhuQue-2, the ZhuQue-3 is a two-stage Methalox-fueled rocket with a reusable first stage. The first stage has 9 TQ-12B engines while the second stage integrates a TQ-15B engine. It can launch 21.3 tons into a 450 km LEO orbit in an expended configuration, 18.3 tons in a downrange recovery configuration, and 12.5 tons with a ground landing

01/12/2025

The Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) is a robotic single-launch cargo lander designed to transport up to three metric tons of payload to the lunar surface. Its primary mission is to serve as a pathfinder, testing critical systems for the larger, human-rated MK2 lander being developed for NASA's Artemis program.

MISSION STATUS

The first MK1 lander, the Pathfinder Mission (MK1-SN001), is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2026. This uncrewed demonstration flight will validate core systems, including the BE-7 engine's performance, cryogenic fluid management, and precision landing capabilities.

01/12/2025

Blue Origin The 7 Beautiful BE4 engines