Rocket Report: China tests Falcon 9 lookalike; NASA’s Moon rocket fully stacked

In the latest edition of the Rocket Report, excitement builds as we approach the 10th anniversary of SpaceX's inaugural Falcon 9 rocket landing later this year. The aerospace landscape is shifting, with two new contenders—Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and China's LandSpace—on the brink of potentially joining SpaceX in the elite category of companies capable of returning an orbital-class booster for a propulsive landing. Both companies are intensifying their launch preparations, with Blue Origin set to unveil its second New Glenn rocket and LandSpace gearing up for its first Zhuque-3 flight. Although there's no direct competition between them, the upcoming flights will be closely monitored as observers look to see how each rocket performs during both ascent and descent, and whether they can successfully achieve a landing. Meanwhile, the U.S. defense sector is witnessing a surge in the development of space-based weaponry, spurred by the Trump administration's introduction of the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. Among the key players is a young startup named Apex, which aims to conduct tests of a space-based interceptor as early as next year. The company's innovative concept involves deploying a low-cost satellite platform equipped with an “Orbital Magazine” that will carry multiple interceptors from a yet-to-be-named partner. Apex's demonstration is projected for low-Earth orbit, potentially launching by June 2026, and will involve testing two interceptors from its Project Shadow spacecraft. This could signify a significant step towards operational interceptors designed to neutralize ballistic missile threats. Not to be outdone, established defense contractors are also entering the fray. Northrop Grumman’s CEO has confirmed ongoing tests of space-based interceptor components, while Lockheed Martin has laid out plans to conduct an orbital test by 2028. However, the specifics of their initiatives remain less detailed than those shared by Apex, setting the stage for an intriguing future in space defense.