Key facts
- Rocket Lab secured its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million deal with the US Space Force for 12 suborbital launches.
- SpaceX received $1.6 billion from the US Space Force for 18 Falcon 9 launches.
- Rocket Factory Augsburg delayed its RFA One rocket's debut launch due to a discovered vehicle issue.
- MaiaSpace will proceed directly to an orbital launch attempt for its Maia rocket in the second half of 2027.
- The US Department of Transportation proposed exempting commercial space launches from numerous environmental regulations.
Rocket Lab has secured its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million deal with the US Space Force for up to 18 suborbital launches, primarily for hypersonic testing from a new Alaskan facility. The first launch under this contract is expected no earlier than the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Rocket Factory Augsburg has delayed the debut launch of its RFA One rocket from Scotland due to an issue discovered during pad testing, with no new date set. The company was previously targeting an August 10 launch window.
In other space news, MaiaSpace has abandoned plans for a suborbital test flight of its Maia rocket, opting to proceed directly to a full orbital launch attempt in the second half of 2027. ArianeGroup completed a wet dress rehearsal of its Themis reusable booster demonstrator at the Esrange Space Centre in Sweden.
SpaceX also received significant backing from the US Space Force, securing two task orders totaling $1.6 billion for 18 Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, expected by the end of 2027. These awards were made under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program.
Additionally, the Department of Transportation is proposing to exempt commercial space launch licensing from many environmental regulations, a move supported by industry but opposed by environmental groups. This proposal aims to streamline licensing by waiving regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act.