Rocket Report: Crypto-funded Heavy Rocket; Falcon 9 was damaged during transportation

Zoom in / An electronic missile launched the NROL-162 mission on July 13.

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Welcome to Rocket Report 5.04! Be sure and read to the end, because most of this week’s news is about heavy missiles, or at least Suggestion Heavy missiles. Also, there will be no newsletter next week because I will be spending time with my family. But then I’ll be back in the saddle for the rest of the summer and fall, which promises to be full of expensive rocket launches.

As always, we welcome Readers’ offers. And if you don’t want to miss any issues, please register using the box below (the form won’t appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small, medium and heavy missiles as well as a glimpse of the next three launches on the calendar.

Isar Aerospace departs from French Guiana. The Germany-based startup announced on Thursday. It will conduct commercial and institutional launches from the European Spaceport in French Guiana starting in 2024. In what appears to be a fine coup, Isar has been selected by the French space agency CNES for a launch opportunity at the Diamant launch complex near the equator. Isar is also developing a spaceport in Andøya, Norway, for the Spectrum small launch vehicle.

Compete with other small launchers “With the addition of Koro, we will expand our global critical infrastructure network and gain more flexibility for our customers,” said Joseph Fleischmann, COO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace. “Creating more launch and deployment capabilities is the cornerstone for entering the global satellite launch market.” Isar will compete with companies such as Relativity Space, ABL Space Systems and Firefly for commercial payloads in the 1-ton class. (Provided by Ken Ben)

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Firefly is working towards its second alpha launch. Firefly Aerospace is preparing for the second launch of its Alpha rocket in late August or early September, Space news reports. “Our goal is within the next 45 to 60 days to get it launched,” Peter Schumacher, interim CEO of Firefly, told the publication. “It’s really delayed, at this point, scope availability.” He said the missile itself was ready to fly, in addition to conducting drills and a static test fire, which he said would take place within two weeks of launch.

Missile wreckage modeling …the company is awaiting a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration, which in turn is subject to approval of the new missile debris model. The modified wreckage model comes after the first Alpha missile exploded in flight when the range activated the flight stop system. The rocket debris, made mostly of carbon composite material, fell out of reach, including in nearby communities, although no damage was reported. (Provided by EllPeaTea and Ken the Bin)

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Electron release has been delayed due to charge problem. The National Reconnaissance Office’s next Rocket Lab mission — the second of two consecutive launches from the US satellite spy agency — has been delayed to complete a software update on the classified payload, Spaceflight Now reports. The mission, named NROL-199, is scheduled to launch on Friday from Rocket Lab’s port in New Zealand, and the company is supposed to have launched two electrons in a nine-day period.

Where will the NRO go? … Previously, Rocket Lab launched mission NROL-162 on July 13. Once the software update is applied, NRO and Rocket Lab will provide a new release date for NROL-199. Payload rated, like most NRO satellites. It will operate in low Earth orbit, but the target’s orbital altitude and tilt have not yet been launched. (Provided by Ken Ben)

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