The damage to the payload adapter caused the QZS-5 satellite to separate with part of the adapter when thrust from the rocket ended during MECO.

Onboard cameras show heavy damage to the QZS-5 satellite.

SpaceX has converted another Falcon Heavy Center Core, B1099, into a Falcon 9.

B1099 has rolled to the test stand.

External features indicate that B1099 is a Center Core.

B1099 will likely fly a few times as Falcon 9 before being converted back.

The development of a reusable rocket is essential as satellite constellations move toward large-scale deployment.

LandSpace is focused on achieving higher launch cadence, greater reliability, and lower cost access to space.

There is a possibility that the CZ-12B which conducted a hot fire was just a static fire vehicle, thus it does not have legs.

The CZ-12B has been rendered without legs in its design images.

Telespazio, in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space Italia, carried out key validation activities for COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 during initial operations.

The COSMO-SkyMed program is promoted by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and the Italian Ministry of Defense.

Critical operations required for COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 commissioning were completed prior to starting orbital calibration and validation phases.

Initial operations and verification activities for COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 were conducted at the ASI Space Centre in Matera.

Initial acquisitions from COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 indicate correct functioning of the satellite's radar observation system and the projected data quality.

The initial acquisitions from COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 confirm the expected performance of the second-generation COSMO-SkyMed constellation.

COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 carries a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor aboard the satellite.

The calibration and validation phases in orbit are required to bring COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 to full operational status.

Once operational, COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 will support applications including environmental protection, emergency management, and territorial security.

The second generation of the COSMO-SkyMed constellation is designed to provide operational continuity and improved performance compared with previous satellites.

COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 began providing its first Earth acquisitions a few days after launch.

The first images from COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 include Rome, Vancouver, and an area along the Padma River in Bangladesh.

The COSMO-SkyMed system is intended for both civil applications and security and defense needs.

The progressive entry of CSG FM3 into the COSMO-SkyMed constellation strengthens Italy's role among leading European operators of spaceborne radar systems.

COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 is in excellent operational condition following completion of commissioning and onboard functionality checks.

COSMO SkyMed CSG FM3 launched on 2 January 2026 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Orbex is based in Scotland with engine development facilities in Denmark and had originally sought to develop a launch site in northern Scotland before deciding to use SaxaVord Spaceport.

Isar Aerospace performed the first launch attempt of its Spectrum vehicle from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway in March, and the vehicle malfunctioned shortly after liftoff, falling into waters adjacent to the launch pad less than a minute after liftoff.

Indulis Kalnins became CEO of Rocket Factory Augsburg in April and is a former executive of OHB, which owns a majority stake in RFA.

The German government plans to spend €35 billion on military space programs over the next five years.

PLD Space is aiming for a first launch of Miura 5 in 2026 and is developing a larger family of vehicles called Miura Next.

Isar Aerospace secured more than €205 million from the European Launcher Challenge at the ESA ministerial.

The UK Space Agency retained discretion to allocate its unassigned European Launcher Challenge funds to specific operators at a later date.

ArianeGroup invested €125 million in MaiaSpace as initial support for development.

Rocket Factory Augsburg employs over 300 people from 40 nations.

During a 2024 static-fire test at SaxaVord Spaceport, Rocket Factory Augsburg experienced an oxygen-pump fire on one booster engine that spread to other engines and engulfed and destroyed the entire first stage.

The European Space Agency preselected Rocket Factory Augsburg, Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, Orbex, and PLD Space as challengers for the European Launcher Challenge in July.

Isar Aerospace scheduled a second Spectrum launch no earlier than Wednesday, January 21 at 9:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. EST) from Andøya carrying five cubesats and a hosted payload to a 500-kilometer polar orbit on a mission called "Onward and Upward."

Orbex won UK Space Agency funding in 2018 as part of plans to establish a northern Scotland spaceport.

MaiaSpace plans a new factory in Vernon set to begin operations in 2027 with a goal of producing 20 vehicles per year by the early 2030s.

PLD Space has an agreement with the French space agency CNES to operate from a launch site in French Guiana that was formerly used by the Diamant rocket.

MaiaSpace was spun out of ArianeGroup and operates engineering offices near Paris with a factory in Vernon that is part of an ArianeGroup facility.

PLD Space planned engine qualification for Miura 5 in the first quarter of 2026.

Rocket Factory Augsburg holds a launch license from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

PLD Space launched its Miura 1 suborbital rocket in October 2023 and reached a peak altitude of 46 kilometers on that flight.

PLD Space is developing the Miura 5 orbital launch vehicle and had a qualification model on the factory floor at its facility in Elche, Spain for testing such as a wet dress rehearsal.

The United Kingdom committed €144 million overall to the European Launcher Challenge but allocated only €21.7 million to Orbex and €10 million to Rocket Factory Augsburg, leaving €112.3 million unallocated.

PLD Space has grown to more than 400 employees.

RFA stored the upper stages intended for the destroyed first-stage vehicle off the stage and has incorporated lessons learned into a newly built first stage.

MaiaSpace secured €184.2 million at the ESA ministerial, with almost all of that amount coming from France.