Rocket Report: SpaceX’s next-gen booster fails; Pegasus will fly again

Welcome to the latest edition of the Rocket Report, where we bring you the most exciting updates from the world of space exploration! This week, Blue Origin has once again captured attention with its New Glenn rocket, following a successful launch and landing of the second prototype on November 13. Jeff Bezos' company has unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance the rocket's capabilities by adding more engines. In South Texas, SpaceX is progressing towards the inaugural flight of its next-generation Starship rocket. However, there will be a brief hiatus in our reporting next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. We eagerly anticipate resuming our coverage with all the latest developments in early December. In a significant development for space missions, Northrop Grumman's Pegasus rocket has secured a rare contract with Katalyst Space Technologies, a startup that received a $30 million award from NASA. This contract is aimed at creating a robotic rescue mission for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has been operational in low-Earth orbit since 2004. The Swift observatory, noted for its ability to study gamma-ray bursts, is in urgent need of a propulsion boost as it faces atmospheric drag that threatens its orbit. Katalyst has chosen Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket to launch the rescue craft next year. Although the Pegasus XL has not flown since 2021 and has had limited launches in recent years, it is uniquely suited for this mission. The rocket is air-launched from a modified aircraft, allowing it to place payloads of up to 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit. Despite its high launch price—over $25 million—Katalyst's specific needs override concerns about cost. The mission requires a precise low-inclination orbit, making it incompatible with the more economical rideshare opportunities available on SpaceX's Falcon 9. Additionally, Northrop Grumman has the parts for one more Pegasus XL ready, and they may offer a discount to clear inventory and phase out the costly L-1011 carrier aircraft. Smaller rockets like Rocket Lab's Electron and Firefly's Alpha also lack the necessary performance for this mission, solidifying Pegasus's role in this crucial rescue operation.