DefenceTalkChina will send two new models of carrier rocket in the Long March series on their maiden space trips in 2016, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASC) said on Saturday. The country’s strongest carrier rocket, Long March-5 has a payload capacity of 25 tonnes to low Earth orbit, or 14 tonnes to geostationary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-to-debut-new-carrier-rockets-66441/

DefenceTalkSpaceX’s unmanned Falcon 9 rocket broke apart Sunday as it tried to land on a floating platform in the Pacific, marking the fourth such failure in the company’s bid to recycle rockets. However, the primary mission of the launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California went as planned, propelling into orbit a $180 million […]https://www.defencetalk.com/spacex-fails-to-stick-ocean-landing-after-satellite-launch-66388/

DefenceTalkOrbital ATK (OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today it was awarded a $47 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center Launch Systems Directorate for the development of a solid rocket propulsion system prototype to support the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program for national security […]https://www.defencetalk.com/orbital-atk-receives-47-million-award-for-rocket-propulsion-system-development-66385/

DefenceTalkBritish aerospace company BAE Systems today unveiled an investment in a new engine combining jet and rocket technologies — part of a growing list of companies in the commercial space race. BAE said it would invest USD 31.9 million for a 20 per cent stake in Reaction Engines, which is developing the SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britains-bae-systems-buys-into-rocket-engine-technology-65741/

DefenceTalkOver 100 artillery rockets were launched June 16 at White Sands Missile Range, or WSMR, to test an improved version of the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System, or MLRS. The test, conducted at WSMR’s G-16 impact area, saw an M270A1 MLRS vehicle equipped with a new armored cab, fire 138 rockets to ensure the improvements […]https://www.defencetalk.com/improved-multiple-launch-rocket-system-tested-64941/

DefenceTalkAn unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded just minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday, marking a major setback for the fast-charging company headed by Internet tycoon Elon Musk. The accident was the third in less than a year involving US and Russian supply ships bound for the International Space Station, and raised new concerns […]https://www.defencetalk.com/spacex-rocket-explodes-after-launch-64727/

DefenceTalkThe Australian Defence Force demonstrated the precision strike capability of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket, firing the system from an Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) for the first time. Using a Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ) rocket motor, warhead, and launcher, the APKWS rocket was 10 for 10 in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/laser-guided-rocket-hits-the-mark-for-australian-defence-force-63841/

DefenceTalkSpace capability is critical to national security, and the Defense Department is working to make its launch program more competitive and end its longtime use of a Russian rocket engine on the Atlas launch system, the assistant secretary of defense for acquisition said this week. Katrina G. McFarland testified before the House Armed Services Committee’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-works-to-build-competition-into-space-launches-63602/

DefenceTalkA Russian manufacturer on Friday announced a $1 billion deal to supply engines for the US Antares rockets making deliveries to the International Space Station. Russian producer Energia said in a statement that it had signed the bumper deal to build 60 engines with private US firm Orbital Science, which has a $1.9 billion contract […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-firm-seals-1-billion-deal-to-supply-us-rocket-engines-62019/

DefenceTalkThe Australian Defence Forces recently concluded a highly successful trial of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket for use on its Army and Navy helicopters. The ground trial marks the first time the APKWS technology, which transforms a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70-millimeter) rocket into a precision laser-guided weapon, has been demonstrated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/laser-guided-rocket-demos-precision-strike-capability-for-australian-forces-60759/