The past week has seen major developments in the aerospace industry, from SpaceX’s most successful test flight to China’s unannounced satellite launch, highlighting the growing competition in space.
SpaceX Starship prepares to leave the launch pad. (Source: Reuters)
Starship achieves high efficiency, China unexpectedly launches satellite
SpaceX has concluded a challenging period with its 11th Starship test flight. The massive spacecraft flew halfway around the world and returned with minimal damage, proving that improvements to its heat shield have worked. It was considered the most successful flight yet, paving the way for a larger, more powerful Starship V3 version in early 2026, with the goal of landing on land.
Meanwhile, China surprised everyone by launching the Shiyan-31 remote sensing experimental satellite using a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Center without issuing any maritime or aviation warnings as usual. This satellite is believed to serve optical observation missions, flying in an orbit of about 500 km. This move shows that Beijing continues to maintain a high launch rate and secrecy in some of its space programs.
The Long March 2D rocket launched from the Jiuquan spaceport, China, carrying the Shiyan-31 satellite. (Source: Ourspace)
Europe, Japan and startups accelerate the space race
Not only the US and China, Europe and Japan are also pushing new projects.
Japan, due to problems with its Epsilon S rocket, has chosen Rocket Lab (New Zealand) to launch technology test satellites to ensure progress. This is a step to ensure progress in the context of the Epsilon program being delayed for many years.
In Europe, German company HyImpulse announced it has raised an additional $53 million to develop the SL-1 rocket, which is expected to make its first test flight in 2027. This is a three-stage rocket using a hybrid propulsion system, capable of delivering about 600 kg (more than 1,300 pounds) of payload to low Earth orbit. This project is based on the SR75 suborbital rocket, which made its first successful test flight in Australia in 2024.
iRocket's rocket prototype demonstrates its ambition to develop reusable rockets and future military -commercial cooperation. (Source: iRocket)
In the US, iRocket successfully tested the IRX-100 rocket, aiming to build a reusable orbital rocket. According to iRocket CEO Asad Malik, the entire design and test-launch process took only 30 days, demonstrating the team's speed and creativity. The rocket was launched from the California desert, reaching an altitude of more than 12,000 feet. iRocket hopes the IRX-100 will bring in short-term revenue through military contracts, while the long-term goal is to develop a reusable orbital rocket called Shockwave.
The Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket have been together for nearly two decades, but Lockheed Martin is looking at a future where they’re separate. The company wants to make Orion reusable, cost-effective, and ready to fly on a variety of commercial rockets. It’s even proposed that NASA could buy Orion flights as a “service” rather than own and operate them directly.
The change comes as the SLS, which costs more than $2 billion per launch, faces the risk of being retired after just a few more flights. To compete on price, Orion needs a cheaper launch vehicle, even though in the short term any plans to send astronauts to the Moon will still rely on the spacecraft.
From Starship getting closer to perfect reusability, to China's launch secrecy, and Europe, Japan and startups trying to catch up – all reflect a new era where space has become a strategic front for superpowers and tech companies.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cuoc-dua-khong-gian-tuan-qua-starship-dat-hieu-qua-cao-trung-quoc-gay-bat-ngo-ar971776.html
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