Key facts
- A Falcon 9 upper stage impacted the Moon, creating a new crater.
- Taiwan's satellite launch vehicle prototype failed during a test flight.
- South Korea's Innospace experienced its second consecutive rocket test failure.
- Commercial satellite operators are worried about SpaceX phasing out the Falcon 9 rocket.
- Ukraine successfully struck Russia's Progress Rocket Space Center with cruise missiles.
- China's LandSpace successfully landed the booster of its Zhuque-3 rocket.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 upper stage has left its mark on the Moon, creating a new crater captured by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. This event occurs as China's rocket program demonstrates resilience after a recent failure, with its Long March 12 and Long March 5 rockets showing continued capability.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's efforts to develop its own satellite launcher faced a setback with a prototype rocket failing during a test flight. South Korea's Innospace also experienced its second consecutive rocket test failure with its Sebit suborbital rocket.
Concerns are mounting within the commercial satellite industry regarding SpaceX's potential retirement of the workhorse Falcon 9 rocket, with fears that the company will prioritize its own Starlink payloads on the upcoming Starship. SpaceX has reportedly indicated to the U.S. government that commercial launches may cease after 2028.
In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine successfully struck Russia's Progress Rocket Space Center, a key facility for Roscosmos, using ground-launched cruise missiles. This strike targeted a facility involved in electronics production for rockets like the Soyuz-2 and Soyuz-5.
China's launch capabilities are also advancing with LandSpace successfully landing the first stage booster of its Zhuque-3 rocket, marking a significant step in reusable rocket technology for the country.