Rocket

The US Space Force has delivered its first national security payload into orbit, with a satellite successfully lifting off atop a United Launch Alliance rocket today to complete a network of protected communications satellites for US armed forces.

University of Washington engineers are working on a new rocket engine called a Rotational Detonation Engine that promises to be lighter, more efficient, and simpler to make than conventional liquid-fuel rockets .... but it's far less predictable.

SpaceX has successfully deployed 60 communication satellites to bolster the population of its Starlink megaconstellation. The launch saw the third landing of a Falcon 9 core stage, and the impressive catch of a fairing half as it fell to Earth.

Although the Bloodhound supersonic car recently reached its fastest speed yet, it'll still need some more oomph to meet its next target of over 800 mph. To that end, its makers have announced that it's now being equipped with a zero-emissions rocket.

Blue Origin's New Shepard booster completed its 12th successful test flight on December 11, marking the first time a booster has made six consecutive missions. At 11:53 am CDT, the single-stage rocket lifted off for a 10 min 16 sec flight.

The US Air Force has successfully tested a component that promises a new generation of high-performance American rocket engines. Called a preburner, the unit allows rockets to operate at a higher pressure and achieve greater levels of thrust.

The Vulcain 2.1 liquid-fueled engine, the rocket that will power the first stage of ESA's Ariane 6 launcher, has passed its qualification tests.

Researchers are studying how to use salt-based propellants that can be used to power dual-mode rockets that work as both combustion and ion engines.

SpaceX singlehandedly changed the game when it comes to rocket recycling, but it might soon have some company with competitor Rocket Lab today announcing a reusability program of its own.​

Last week the European Space Agency (ESA) completed the first rollout test of its 90 meter (295 ft) tall mobile gantry, where the next generation of Ariane rockets will be assembled and protected at the launch zone prior to blasting off.

Virgin Orbit is developing a launch system to carry satellites into space using a rocket mounted to the wing of a modified 747. The team has today ticked off what it calls a significant milestone, carrying said rocket into the air and releasing it over the Californian desert for the first time.

​SpaceX is on a mission to reuse as much of its launch systems as possible. Part of this strategy involves catching pieces of rocket as they plummet back toward Earth, something the company managed to pull off for the first time following yesterday’s landmark Falcon Heavy launch. ​​