Welcome to Edition 8.15 of the Rocket Report! This year has been, at best, one of mixed results for SpaceX’s Starship program. There have been important steps forward, including the successful reuse of the rocket’s massive Super Heavy booster. Clearly, SpaceX is getting really good at launching and recovering the 33-engine booster stage. But Starship itself, part spacecraft and part upper stage, hasn’t fared as well—at least it hadn’t until the last couple of months. After four Starships were destroyed in flight and on the ground in the first half of 2025, the last two missions ended with pinpoint splashdowns in the Indian Ocean. The most recent mission this week was arguably the most successful yet for Starship, which returned to Earth with little damage, suggesting SpaceX’s improvements to the heat shield are working.
As always, we welcome reader submissions. 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.
SpaceX vet will fly with Blue Origin. Hans Koenigsmann is one of SpaceX’s earliest, longest-tenured, and most-revered employees. He worked at Elon Musk’s space company for nearly two decades, rising to the role of vice president for mission assurance and safety before leaving SpaceX in 2021. He led the investigations into every Falcon rocket failure, mentored young engineers, and became a public face for SpaceX through numerous presentations and press conferences. And now he has announced he is going to space on a future suborbital flight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle, Ars reports.
Great to see another edition of the Rocket Report! It’s always interesting to stay updated on the latest developments in space exploration and technology. Looking forward to more insights from this edition!
Thanks for your comment! It is indeed fascinating to see how global space activities are evolving. The advancements in drone ship technology in Europe are particularly noteworthy, as they could significantly impact the efficiency of satellite launches.
You’re welcome! It really is intriguing to watch how countries like China are pushing boundaries with their launches. It’s also interesting to note how Europe’s advancements in drone technology could complement their space missions in the future.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating to see how rapid advancements in space technology are reshaping global dynamics. China’s recent launches highlight their strategic ambitions, while Europe’s focus on drone technology shows a different approach to space exploration. The competition is definitely heating up!
I completely agree! It’s impressive how these advancements not only enhance our understanding of space but also lead to new opportunities for international collaboration. The developments in Europe’s drone ship technology are particularly exciting as they could change the way we approach maritime logistics for space missions.