Enlarge / ABL Space Systems says its RS1 rocket is ready for a debut launch this month. (credit: ABL Space Systems)
Welcome to Edition 5.09 of the Rocket Report! Another week, and we have another attempt at launching the Space Launch System rocket. I’m looking forward to what is hopefully a clean countdown and smooth liftoff of NASA’s large rocket on Saturday afternoon from the Florida space coast. No matter what happens, I’ll do my best to keep you on top of the situation.
As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.
Rocket Lab successfully fires flown engine. In May an Electron rocket launched the “There and Back Again” mission, and then attempted to recover the first stage by catching it with a helicopter. While the pilot succeeded in briefly grappling onto the rocket, it had to be dropped due to unexpected loads on the line attached to the helicopter. Nevertheless, when Rocket Lab recovered the first stage from the ocean the company said it was in quite good condition. On Thursday, the company said it has successfully test-fired one of that rocket’s nine Rutherford engines.
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