Following back-to-back annual losses, SpaceX has reportedly turned a profit during the first quarter of the year despite an increase in costs as the company continues to spend on its unproven Starship rocket, which has not flown.
It was another bustling month for spaceflight, the dog days of summer are blazing with the added heat from botched engine tests and a trove of fiery rocket launches. As always, the past month of spaceflight presented a plethora of captivating visuals.
Update: July 31, 8:57 a.m. ET: SpaceX successfully launched EchoStar 24 (Jupiter 3), with Falcon Heavy blasting off on Saturday July 28 at 11:04 p.m. ET. The rocket successfully deployed the 9.2-metric-ton communications satellite to geostationary transfer orbit, and both side boosters performed successful landings.…
California-based Rocket Lab—the company voted most likely to compete with SpaceX—appears to be tinkering with its Neutron blueprints, as new artwork suggests.
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket launched seven satellites to orbit for its latest mission before its booster gently glided its way back down for a parachute-assisted ocean splashdown to test its reusability.
SpaceX’s worth is nearing $150 billion after signing a share sale agreement with new and existing investors this week.
Christopher Hayden via AP
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan