SpaceX's Low-Cost Starship Threatens Small Launchers as Rocket Lab Sends Spy Satellite to Orbit and Astrobotic Tests Moon Landing Tech
• SpaceX's Starship rocket could threaten small launch providers by offering very low cost rides to orbit for small satellites • Rocket Lab launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the 5th mission under an existing contract • The launch used Rocket Lab's Electron rocket from Wallops Island, VA, the company's 2nd launch in 9 days • Astrobotic tested sensors for precision moon landings using a rocket called Xodiac, flying at night to simulate lunar conditions • The Xodiac vehicle was originally built by Masten Space Systems, which went bankrupt and was acquired by Astrobotic