"With so many rocket launches happening around the world, some might want to dismiss these statements as a corporate plea for more competition, and therefore lower prices. SpaceX is on pace to launch more than 150 times this year. China could end the year with more than 70 orbital launches. These are staggering numbers compared to global launch rates just a few years ago."
"But I'm convinced there's room for more alternatives for reliable (and reusable) rockets. All of the world's planned mega-constellations will need immense launch capacity just to get off the ground, and if successful, they'll go into regular replacement and replenishment cycles. Throw in the still-undefined Golden Dome missile shield and many nations' desire for a sovereign launch capability, and it's easy to see the demand curve going up."
"Sharp words from Astra's Chris Kemp. Chris Kemp, the chief executive officer of Astra, apparently didn't get the memo about playing nice with his competitors in the launch business. Kemp made some spicy remarks at the Berkeley Space Symposium 2025 earlier this month, billed as the largest undergraduate aerospace event at the university ( see video of the talk). During the speech, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry, Ars reports."
Amazon plans two Kuiper broadband satellite launches spaced only days apart, signaling rapid deployment of its constellation. Global launch rates are rising, with SpaceX projected to exceed 150 launches this year and China possibly conducting more than 70 orbital launches. Mega-constellations will require immense initial launch capacity and ongoing replacement and replenishment cycles. The emergence of missile-defence concepts like the Golden Dome and nations' pursuit of sovereign launch capabilities further drive demand for launch services. Astra's CEO Chris Kemp publicly criticized competitors during a Berkeley Space Symposium appearance, drawing attention within the launch industry.
Read at Ars Technica
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]