SpaceX and Rocket Lab complete launches
Capitalism in space: Two successfully launches this morning.
First Rocket Lab used its Electron rocket to launch a German cubesat thought to be a prototype for a Chinese communications constellation, though no information has been publicly released. No recovery attempts were made on the rocket’s first stage.
Then SpaceX successfully completed its 17th Starlink launch and second launch in 2021. This puts about 950 Starlink satellites in orbit. The booster for this flight landed on the drone ship, completing its record eighth flight.
The 2021 launch race:
2 SpaceX
1 Virgin Orbit
1 China
1 Rocket Lab
The U.S. now leads China 4 to 1 in the national rankings.
Capitalism in space: Two successfully launches this morning.
First Rocket Lab used its Electron rocket to launch a German cubesat thought to be a prototype for a Chinese communications constellation, though no information has been publicly released. No recovery attempts were made on the rocket’s first stage.
Then SpaceX successfully completed its 17th Starlink launch and second launch in 2021. This puts about 950 Starlink satellites in orbit. The booster for this flight landed on the drone ship, completing its record eighth flight.
The 2021 launch race:
2 SpaceX
1 Virgin Orbit
1 China
1 Rocket Lab
The U.S. now leads China 4 to 1 in the national rankings.