Rocket Report: Alpha Block 2 coming this summer; Falcon sets booster landing mark
Summary
Firefly Aerospace plans to launch an upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket this summer, with improvements aimed at better reliability. Orbex, a Scottish rocket company, collapsed after running out of money, while Rocket Lab reported record revenue and many new launch contracts.Key Facts
- Firefly Aerospace will debut the improved Alpha Block 2 rocket later this summer.
- Alpha Block 2 has stretched stages and better avionics, batteries, and heat protection.
- The upgrades are meant to fix reliability problems seen in the first Alpha rocket versions.
- Orbex, based in Scotland, went bankrupt after losing about $2.7 million per month.
- Orbex had two rocket projects: the Prime micro-launch vehicle and a larger Proxima design.
- Orbex’s attempt to raise new funding in 2025 failed, and no buyers were found despite interest.
- Rocket Lab made over $200 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, a 63% increase over last year.
- Rocket Lab signed 31 new contracts and completed buying a laser communications company, Mynaric AG.
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