30 May 2023
Virgin Orbit cuts its losses and ceases operations
... raised less than half of the $483 million it had expected through the merger process. Its goal as a launcher business was to provide swift and adaptable space launch services for the ever growing small satellites...
May 2024
Spaceflight revolution on a shoestring
...is to develop airline-like transport to and from low orbit, which clearly requires the development of fully reusable launchers. Another requirement is for a greatly increased launch rate to provide economies of scale and the funding to develop mature...
April 2020
Reviving Russia’s space programme
... replace the ISS - it will require a new heavy-lift launcher, the design of which Rogozin signed-off in December 2019. The...and Rogozin in a younger workforce, infrastructure, a new launcher fleet and improved quality control are likely to pay ...
March 2016
The Use of 3D Printing for Space Applications
... deposition process used in the manufacturing of the Vulcain nozzle extension. Within the ESA-led FLPP (Future Launchers Preparatory Programme), several developments have been pursued aimed at increasing the performances of the propulsion systems...
October 2019
Time to overcome the expendable rocket mindset
... as built was largely expendable. The Space Shuttle was therefore as expensive and as risky to operate as the throwaway launchers that preceded it. Recent history seems to have created institutions and habits of thought that continually reinforce the...
September 2020
Commercial opportunities beyond Earth orbit
...to space. This evolution is not only benefiting the launcher companies but also the launch infrastructure which has given birth... to become commercially viable spaceports from where the smallsat launchers can fly. How does this affect our ability to...
