Rocket Report: Falcon Heavy is back; Russia's Soyuz-5 finally debuts
Summary
SpaceX is preparing for a test flight of its large Starship rocket, possibly in May. The U.S. Space Force announced contracts worth up to $3.2 billion with 12 companies, including SpaceX and Lockheed Martin, to develop space-based missile interceptors as part of a new defense system called Golden Dome.Key Facts
- SpaceX plans a test flight for its Starship rocket soon, aiming for May.
- Blue Origin is working on landing a cargo lander on the Moon in the next few months.
- The U.S. Space Force released a list of 12 companies developing space-based missile interceptors.
- These interceptors are part of the Golden Dome defense program to protect the U.S. from missile threats.
- Companies on the list include Anduril, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, SpaceX, and others.
- The initial contracts for interceptor prototypes could total $3.2 billion, with full production contracts expected to be costlier.
- The Golden Dome program focuses on affordability and multiple defense options rather than relying only on space-based interceptors.
- Virgin Galactic has finished building its new Delta-class spaceplane and plans test flights before commercial service resumes later this year.
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