China’s Falcon 9 Clone Takes Flight; NASA's Moon Rocket Ready

Welcome to the Latest Rocket Report!

Greetings, space enthusiasts, and welcome to Edition 8.16 of the Rocket Report! This year marks a significant milestone as we approach the tenth anniversary of SpaceX’s inaugural Falcon 9 rocket landing, a feat that has yet to be replicated by any other company. As we look ahead, we find ourselves on the brink of witnessing potential new contenders in the realm of orbital-class booster landings. Two ambitious companies, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and China’s LandSpace, are gearing up for launches that could see them join SpaceX’s elite group as soon as next month.

While Bezos may assert his membership in this exclusive club, the reality is that there’s a distinct difference to consider. Both Blue Origin and LandSpace are in the final stages of preparation for their respective missions: Blue Origin is set to launch its second New Glenn rocket, while LandSpace is readying for the maiden flight of its Zhuque-3 rocket. The plan for both companies includes attempts to successfully land their first-stage boosters downrange from their respective launch sites. Although they are not racing against each other, the outcomes of these launches will be fascinating to observe, particularly how New Glenn and Zhuque-3 handle both their ascent and descent phases, and whether either—or both—will achieve a successful landing.

Open Call for Contributions

As always, we invite our readers to share their insights and stories. If you wish to stay updated and not miss any future editions, please subscribe using the form below (note that the form won’t show on AMP-enabled versions of the website). Each report will feature updates on small, medium, and heavy-lift rockets, along with a quick preview of the next three launches scheduled on the calendar.

The Competition for Space-Based Interceptors

In a related note, the Trump administration’s recent announcement regarding the Golden Dome missile defense shield has ignited a competitive atmosphere among U.S. companies looking to innovate in the field of space weaponry. Some companies are even investing their own resources to develop and test these technologies, as reported by Ars Technica. Among these contenders is Apex, a startup that’s just three years old and has unveiled plans to test a space-based interceptor as soon as next year.

Apex’s innovative approach involves utilizing one of its cost-effective satellite platforms, which will be equipped with an "Orbital Magazine" housing multiple interceptors supplied by a confidential third-party partner. The company aims to conduct a demonstration in low-Earth orbit, potentially launching as soon as June 2026. The test will involve firing two interceptors from Apex’s Project Shadow spacecraft. If successful, these prototype interceptors could lead to the development of operational space-based systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

This ongoing evolution in the space race highlights the increasing interest and investment in technologies that could redefine defense strategies in the coming years.

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