Rocket Report: Russia claims success with new ICBM; spaceplane déjà vu in Europe

Welcome to the latest edition of the Rocket Report, where we delve into the thrilling developments in the world of space exploration. The narratives surrounding two of the globe's most formidable rockets are now closely linked. At Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the components for NASA's third Space Launch System rocket are being assembled, while SpaceX gears up for the liftoff of its enhanced Starship Version 3 from Starbase, Texas. The readiness of these vehicles, alongside Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and the Blue Moon lander, will significantly influence the planning and execution of NASA's Artemis III mission in low-Earth orbit. This week, we also spotlight an exciting milestone for the Indian space industry. Following the government's 2020 initiative to open up the sector to private companies, Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace is approaching its inaugural launch with the Vikram-1 orbital rocket. With a recent funding round of $60 million that has boosted its valuation to $1.1 billion, Skyroot is on the verge of accelerating its commercial launch ambitions. Skyroot's co-founder and CEO, Pawan Kumar Chandana, previously served at the Indian space agency before founding the company in Hyderabad in 2018. Despite India's traditionally limited commercial space sector, Chandana recognized the nation's potential, citing a wealth of skilled engineers, a robust supplier network, government-supported spaceports, and a geographical advantage near the equator as key factors for success.