Rocket Report: 5-Ton Satellite Falls Off Booster; SpaceX-xAI Merger?
▼ Summary
– NASA is conducting a final wet dress rehearsal test of the Space Launch System rocket, fueling it to within seconds of ignition ahead of the Artemis II mission.
– The Rocket Report provides regular updates on various rocket classes and a schedule of upcoming launches, inviting reader submissions.
– The UK government has reversed its earlier support and is now prepared to abandon the British launch company Orbex.
– UK officials likely withdrew support after assessing Orbex’s limited hardware development and financial viability, doubting its chance of reaching orbit.
– The Exploration Company’s interest in acquiring Orbex may be to access UK funding from the European Launch Challenge, not due to confidence in Orbex’s launch capability.
The final major test before the Artemis II mission is set to take place this weekend, as NASA prepares for a wet dress rehearsal of the massive Space Launch System rocket in Florida. This critical procedure involves fully fueling the vehicle and running through the launch countdown to just moments before engine ignition. The successful completion of this test is a pivotal step toward the targeted launch date, which is currently no earlier than February 6. Comprehensive coverage of the event will be available throughout the weekend.
In other significant industry news, a major shift is underway for the British launch company Orbex. Recent reports indicate the firm is preparing to sell its business to The Exploration Company, a spacecraft manufacturer, in a move coordinated with the UK government. This development marks a stark reversal from the government’s earlier position, which seemed to support Orbex as a cornerstone for launching domestic satellites with a homegrown rocket. The apparent abandonment raises immediate questions about the underlying reasons for this sudden change in strategy.
Industry observers suggest the rationale may be fairly straightforward. Upon closer examination of Orbex’s technical progress and financial health, UK space officials likely concluded that the company’s path to achieving orbit was uncertain, even with a substantial new investment. The more intriguing aspect is the interest from The Exploration Company, which specializes in building orbital vehicles rather than launch systems. Analysts speculate the acquisition may be less about faith in Orbex’s rocket technology and more a strategic play to access potential funding tied to the UK’s involvement in the European Launch Challenge. This explanation appears highly plausible given the current landscape.
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(Source: Ars Technica)
