Launch Vehicles

The debut of Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket design vividly illustrated the contrast between Blue Origin’s “step by step, ferociously” approach and the “break it till you make it” philosophy that Elon Musk and SpaceX have embraced for the Starship-Super Heavy vehicles. Cat Hofacker analyzes the competing approaches, their origins and what’s at stake.

The U.S. space industry wants regulatory changes that would speed up the licensing of launch and reentry, as FAA delays mount. With Elon Musk’s new government advisory role possibly spelling a monumental shakeup, Jonathan O’Callaghan investigates why licensing takes so long and the possible solutions.

Tom Jones, author and former NASA astronaut

Fifty years after a British rocket last launched a satellite, the U.K. Space Agency is bringing the country back into the space launch business. Paul Marks explores the race to open three new spaceports this year.

Daniel Gillies, 33, Rocket Lab USA, mission management and integration director

It would be a mistake to rush a crew aboard untried NASA vehicles

Optimism is tempered by hard realities

How the U.S. became dependent on RD-180 engines from a strategic foe