tech
January 24, 2026
Rocket Report: Chinese rockets fail twice in 12 hours; Rocket Lab reports setback
Another partially reusable Chinese rocket, the Long March 12B, is nearing its first test flight.
TL;DR
- NASA's Artemis II rocket has been rolled to its launch pad in Florida for the upcoming mission to the Moon.
- China experienced two rocket launch failures within approximately 12 hours, losing a classified satellite and failing the first launch of the Ceres-2 rocket.
- Rocket Lab's Neutron launch vehicle debut may be postponed following a structural failure during a key qualification test of its Stage 1 tank.
- Gilmour Space Technologies in Australia received AU$217 million in funding, making it Australia's newest unicorn and aiming to bolster the nation's sovereign launch capability.
- Isar Aerospace has postponed its Spectrum rocket's test flight due to a technical issue with a pressurization valve.
- UK-based Orbex has signed a letter of intent to be acquired by European space logistics startup The Exploration Company, amidst financial concerns for Orbex.
- SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) intelligence-gathering satellites.
- China conducted a static fire test of its new reusable Long March 12B rocket.
- Blue Origin confirmed that the next New Glenn rocket launch will reuse a booster from a previous mission, indicating a rapid turnaround for orbital booster refurbishment.