TechCrunch Newsletters - Max Q - Launch startup busy season

Monday, November 30, 2020 • By Darrell Etherington

We’ve got a few weeks to recap all at once, and it’s been a busy time. We often see a lot of activity in the space sector clustered towards end-of-year as companies race to meet milestones set to achieve big goal’s before the calendar flips over, and 2020 is no exception.

Meanwhile, we’re fast approaching the first ever TC Sessions: Space event, which is happening December 16 and 17. The event is fully virtual, and tickets are still available, with more announcements to come on top of the already all-star slate of industry speakers.

SpaceX breaks its own rocket reusability record

SpaceX has extended its record for most re-used rocket boosters, with a seventh flight for the Falcon 9 first stage used during a launch of its Starlink satellites last week. The launch company also recovered the booster, meaning it can be refurbished and flown again for a record eighth time, depending on its condition. Elon Musk says eventually, every part of its launch system should be able to be reused upwards of 100 times.

SpaceX breaks its own rocket reusability record image

Image Credits: SpaceX

Rocket Lab's first booster recovery is a 'complete success'

Meanwhile, another rocket launch company achieved a reusability milestone – perhaps more impressive because its rockets were never designed to be at all reusable in the first place. Rocket Lab recovered its first booster, after separately testing navigation and other elements of its plan to return this component of its Electron vehicle to Earth in a usable sate. Eventually, it’ll be aiming to catch these in mid-air after they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere to save itself the fishing expedition, but recovering this one from the ocean after splashdown worked as intended.

Virgin Orbit aims for second orbital flight demonstration on December 19

Virgin Orbit had one kick at the can for its small satellite launch system back in May – that one worked all the way up until the rocket separated from the carrier craft and fired up its own engines, but then encountered an error that meant the rocket never reached space. It’ll try again, a remarkable seven short months after that first flight, with improved systems across the board.

Virgin Orbit aims for second orbital flight demonstration on December 19 image

Image Credits: Virgin Orbit

SpaceX could fly Starship for real for the first time this week

SpaceX has technically flown a Starship prototype – but so far, it’s only gotten around 500 feet off the ground at most. This week could change all that, with Elon Musk saying that the company is hoping to fly its first high-altitude test with Starship prototype SN8. That could see it soar as high as 50,000 feet – weather and preparatory engine fires and tests permitting.

Relativity Space raises $500 million

Launch startup Relativity Space, whose main claim to fame is constructing its launch vehicles almost entirely via 3D printing, has raised a $500 million funding round led by Tiger Global Management and including there new and existing investors. The LA-based company is also nearing its first actual flight tests, which are set to start sometime next year.

Relativity Space raises $500 million image

Image Credits: Relativity Space

Astra aims for December for next launch

Yet another launch startup is looking to fly again in December. Astra, which is focused on effectively mass-producing small launch vehicles cheaply and quickly, will seek to fly the second in a series of three planned demonstration launches that could (although it’s not their primary purpose) reach orbit. The first one definitely didn’t, with an early abort in September after liftoff. This rocket is improved based on data gained from that try, however.