Max Q - Rocket Lab recovers from its rocket mishap in record time

Monday, August 31, 2020 • By Darrell Etherington

Plenty of launches (though fewer than planned) and some exciting developments in human spaceflight programs led the news in space for this week. A couple of younger companies also locked down som crucial funding in both the launch and the satellite communications sectors.

Rocket Lab is back to active launch status

Rocket Lab had an unexpected mission failure in early July, just under two months ago – but as of today, it’s back to successfully launching payloads on behalf of paying customers. The team investigated the cause of its early Electron launch vehicle shutdown last month and quickly implemented a fix, paving the way for it to launch a radar imaging satellite on behalf of client Capella Space on Monday.

Rocket Lab is back to active launch status image

Image Credits: Rocket Lab

SpaceX launches a polar mission from Florida for the first time

It’s not a massive challenge compared to the accomplishments SpaceX has been racking up recently, including crewed human spaceflight, but SpaceX has added another feather to its cap with a launch to a polar orbit from its Cape Canaveral facility in Florida. The company has done polar insertion launches from California, but this demonstrates its flexibility and responsiveness to customer needs.

Boeing and NASA set their crew capsule demo re-do for December

Almost a year to the date of the flubbed first attempt, partners Boeing and NASA will attempt their second uncrewed demonstration mission with their Starliner CST-100 crew capsule. The first attempt encountered a mission timer error that resulted in the capsule not reaching the International Space Station, and while the partners tried to save face by noting that many other aspects of the demo went well, they ultimately decided on a do-over anyway, which is now confirmed to be on the schedule for the end of December.

Boeing and NASA set their crew capsule demo re-do for December image

Image Credits: Boeing

SpaceX will launch Masten's lunar lander

The lunar landers contracted by NASA to deliver key payloads and experiments to the Moon ahead of the next astronauts making their trip are all booking their rockets, and the latest to do so is Masten. It announced a launch contract with SpaceX to delivery its XL-1 lander sometime in 2022.

China's iSpace raises $172 million for its reusable rocket

Chinese startup iSpace is hoping to replicate some of SpaceX’s success with its own partially reusable launch vehicle. The company raised an additional $172 million to pursue its ambitions, which include a first-stage booster test flight and a powered landing set to take place sometime in the first half of next year.

China's iSpace raises $172 million for its reusable rocket image

Image Credits: Feature China / Barcroft Media / Barcroft Media / Getty Images / Getty Images

Kymeta raises $85.2 million for its powered smart antenna

Kymeta is hoping to change the way satellite networks operate by revolutionizing the antenna technology used here on the ground. The startup has created an electronically redirected for optimum connection – but it has no moving mechanical parts to worry about for maintenance or longevity.