Key facts
- SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket family has reached 700 launches.
- SpaceX has stopped accepting new orders for commercial Falcon 9 launches.
- Italian launch provider Avio is experiencing increased demand from customers turned away by SpaceX.
- A Vega C rocket successfully launched two European satellites into orbit.
- Sirius Space Services successfully test-fired its STAR-1 rocket engine prototype.
- China completed four rocket launches in two days, three from commercial entities.
- NASA awarded Blue Origin a contract for a Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft, which Rocket Lab is protesting.
- SpaceX plans its first orbital Starship mission for September 22.
United Launch Alliance (ULA), once a dominant force in the US launch industry, is facing a challenging future as its reliance on expendable rockets struggles to compete with newer, more cost-effective options. Italian launch services provider Avio has reported an increase in customers unable to secure launch slots with SpaceX, which has recently stopped accepting new commercial Falcon 9 orders.
Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo noted that many customers are turning to them due to SpaceX's limited availability. Some of these customers have reportedly lobbied European institutions for financial support to offset the higher costs associated with European launch providers. However, the report suggests that subsidizing expendable launch technology is a less viable strategy than investing in the development of more competitively priced rockets.
In other space news, a European Space Agency (ESA) Vega C rocket successfully launched two satellites, FLEX Earth Explorer and Copernicus Sentinel-3C, into low-Earth orbit. French startup Sirius Space Services announced the successful test-fire of its STAR-1 rocket engine prototype. China conducted four rocket launches in rapid succession, highlighting the growth of its commercial space sector.
SpaceX achieved a milestone with its 700th Falcon rocket launch, carrying satellites for its long-time customer SES. Meanwhile, NASA's selection of Blue Origin for a Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft has led to a protest from competitor Rocket Lab. SpaceX is also preparing for its first orbital flight attempt of its Starship vehicle, targeted for September 22, pending regulatory approval.