The new generation of heavy lift rockets is rising to challenge SpaceX
The new generation of heavy lift rockets is rising to challenge SpaceX
It can be hard to keep up with this fast-paced yet incredibly complex and highly regulated industry — but everything you need to stay up to date is right here, with links to deeper coverage.
Who remembers when SpaceX wasn't "the undisputed leader in launch"? Amazing how time flies.
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Putting SLS on the list couldn't be any more out of touch. Most of these companies are building Falcon competitors while SpaceX is pushing to the next gen with Starship. Other than Stoke, none of them are trying full reuse.
Other than Stoke, none of them are trying full reuse.
Blue Origin are also investigating the feasibility of a reusable upper stage for New Glenn, at least for now. Jeff touched on this briefly in his recent interview with Tim Dodd (timestamp 46:15).
"Investigating" while SpaceX has been doing it, approximately 300 times.
while SpaceX has been doing it, approximately 300 times
We're discussing upper stages here, not first stages. SpaceX have recovered 339 (soon to be 340 in a few hours) first stages, not orbital upper stages.
SpaceX still haven't technically recovered any orbital upper stages yet, though Starship IFT-4 came very close. They successfully brought the ship back from orbital velocity but a suborbital trajectory.
Blue Origin still have yet to launch anything into orbit.