Rocket Report: China’s Moon rocket to debut soon; ArcaSpace is back—sort of

In the latest edition of the Rocket Report, we celebrate a significant milestone: tomorrow marks 25 years since the first crewed mission to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur. This achievement underscores humanity's enduring presence in space, despite various challenges faced over the years. Exciting developments are on the horizon as Skyroot Aerospace, a trailblazer in India's private space sector, is gearing up for its inaugural full-scale commercial satellite launch mission, scheduled for January 2026. Following this initial flight, Skyroot plans to ramp up its operations with ambitions for quarterly launches in 2026, leading to a monthly launch schedule by 2027. According to CEO Pawan Chandana, each mission could yield nearly $5 million in revenue, marking a promising venture for the startup. Skyroot made headlines last year as the first Indian space startup to successfully launch a rocket, executing a smaller-scale mission from Sriharikota in November 2022. While other Indian launch startups are emerging, Skyroot stands out as a frontrunner, although its goal of launching every three months next year may be quite ambitious. Achieving even one successful launch in 2026 would represent a significant milestone. Meanwhile, Maritime Launch Services is set to receive a substantial financial boost from Canada’s government-owned export credit agency, totaling up to 10 million Canadian dollars (around $7.1 million). This funding will support the development of Spaceport Nova Scotia, the Atlantic launching facility for MLS, aimed at bolstering capabilities in defense, telecommunications, and weather monitoring. Immediate disbursement of half the funds will assist in infrastructure development, with additional funds available as construction progresses.