SpaceX & Rocket Lab: The Race to Reuse Rockets and Conquer Space

RLVs have been a long-standing goal of the space industry, but only a few companies have achieved significant milestones in this field.

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Reusable Launch Vehicle:

Rockets that can be launched, recovered, and launched again, saving money and the environment

SpaceX  &  Rocket Lab:

SpaceX  &  Rocket Lab:

Two of the most prominent players in the RLV market, both based in the United States but with global ambitions.

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A fully-reusable two-stage launch vehicle that can carry up to 100 metric tons of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO), or up to 20 metric tons to the Moon or Mars.

SpaceX’s Starship:

SpaceX’s Starship:

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Starship:

Starship:

SpaceX has performed several high-altitude test flights of Starship prototypes from its Starbase facility in Texas and is preparing for orbital test flights later this year.

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Performed several high-altitude test flights of Starship prototypes from its Starbase facility in Texas and is preparing for orbital test flights later this year.

SpaceX:

SpaceX:

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SpaceX’ RLV technology offers a lower cost per launch, higher payload capacity, greater operational flexibility, and enhanced mission capabilities.

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Rocket Lab’s Electron:

Rocket Lab’s Electron:

A partially reusable small launch vehicle that can deliver up to 300 kilograms of payload to LEO, catering to the growing demand for small satellites.

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Electron uses a liquid oxygen-kerosene engine called Rutherford, which is electrically pumped and 3D-printed for efficiency and scalability.

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Rocket Lab achieved a major milestone in May 2022, when it performed the first helicopter capture of an Electron first stage shortly after it deployed 34 satellites to orbit.

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Rocket Lab is also developing a medium-lift rocket named Neutron, which is designed to be fully reusable and capable of launching up to 8 metric tons of payload to LEO. Neutron will debut in 2024.

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Rocket Lab’s RLVs are aimed at different segments of the launch market than SpaceX’s Starship. Offering dedicated launches.

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Both companies have bold visions for making space more accessible and sustainable with RLVs. Read more...