Rocket Report: Blunder at Baikonur; do launchers really need rocket engines?

A recent setback at Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome has raised questions about the reliability of its launch systems. A Soyuz rocket carrying cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station launched successfully, but ground systems problems occurred shortly after liftoff, causing substantial damage to several components on site.

This incident highlights issues with Russia's Sarmat missile program, which is designed to reach targets over 11,000 miles away. Analysts believe that this failure may have been related to the test of the RS-28 Sarmat missile. The Sarmat is a heavy-duty ICBM capable of carrying large nuclear warheads or hypersonic boost-glide vehicles.

Meanwhile, in South Korea, the homegrown space rocket Nuri took off on November 27 with its CAS500-3 technology demonstration and Earth observation satellite, marking its fourth successful launch since its debut in 2021. Hyundai Rotem, a car manufacturer turned rocket company, has announced a joint program to develop a 35-ton-class reusable methane rocket engine.

In a bold move, Moonshot Space, an Israeli startup, has secured $12 million in funding for its electromagnetism-based launch system. The technology aims to revolutionize space travel by using electromagnetic coils to power a hardened capsule to hypersonic velocities. However, the architecture poses significant challenges due to extremely high accelerations that could damage or destroy normal satellites.

SpaceX has received approval from the Department of the Air Force to build out its primary launch hub on the Space Coast for Starship and Super Heavy rockets. The company plans to construct two launch towers at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37, which would support up to 120 launches per year.

Looking ahead, China is set to debut a new reusable rocket in December, while several European companies are working on their own reusable rockets as part of the ESA's European Launcher Challenge. The challenge aims to support emerging European rocket companies and giveESA and other operators more options to compete with the continent's sole operational launch provider, Arianespace.

As the space industry continues to evolve, one question remains: do launchers really need rocket engines? Moonshot Space's novel approach might just revolutionize space travel.
 
I'm not convinced about this whole reusable rocket thing... I mean, have you seen the cost of these things? $12 million for a startup like Moonshot Space to develop some fancy electromagnetism-based launch system ๐Ÿค”. And what's with all these new players in the space game? Hyundai Rotem turning into a rocket company? It just seems like a marketing stunt to me...

And don't even get me started on SpaceX building out its primary launch hub at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. What about the environmental impact of all those launches? We're talking thousands of rockets blasting off every year, not to mention the space debris problem ๐Ÿšฎ. I just think it's a case of overhyping innovation and neglecting the consequences.

I mean, what's wrong with traditional rocket engines anyway? They've been working just fine for decades ๐Ÿ˜’. This whole reusable thing just seems like a fad waiting to happen...
 
I'm like, super stoked about all these advancements in space tech! ๐Ÿ˜Š Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome setback might seem like a bummer, but it highlights the importance of continuous testing and improvement. I mean, who doesn't love a good challenge? ๐Ÿ’ช And hey, if it means we get more reliable launch systems in the long run, that's a win-win! ๐Ÿค

I'm also loving the South Korean space scene โ€“ Nuri's fourth successful launch is huge! ๐Ÿš€ Hyundai Rotem's foray into rocket tech is super cool too. Who knew car manufacturers could be rocket scientists? ๐Ÿค“ And have you seen Moonshot Space's electromagnetism-based launch system? Mind blown, right? ๐Ÿ”ฅ It's like sci-fi come to life!

And let's not forget about SpaceX! Two new launch towers at Cape Canaveral are going to be a game-changer. I can already imagine the excitement of watching those Starships blast off into space ๐Ÿš€. And China's reusable rocket debut in December? ๐Ÿค” That's got me hyped too!

The ESA's European Launcher Challenge is another great initiative. It's awesome to see all these companies pushing boundaries and innovating together ๐Ÿ’ก. Who knows, maybe one day we'll have reusable rockets as common as cars ๐Ÿš—?

As for the question: do launchers really need rocket engines? ๐Ÿค” I say, why not? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ Rocket engines are just one part of the puzzle. With advancements like Moonshot Space's tech, we might be on the cusp of something revolutionary. The future of space travel is looking bright, and I'm here for it! โœจ
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this ๐Ÿค”. Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome incident is a big deal, especially with the Sarmat missile program being involved. I mean, who wants to mess with stuff that can carry nuclear warheads? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ It just seems like so much risk for what might not even work... But, on the other hand, South Korea's Nuri rocket has been doing pretty well, and Hyundai Rotem is working on some cool new tech ๐Ÿš€. And then there's Moonshot Space with its crazy electromagnetic launch system - that does sound kinda revolutionary ๐Ÿ”ฅ. But, at the same time, I'm not sure if it'll really work out... or if we're just going to keep throwing money at this problem until someone figures it out ๐Ÿ’ธ.
 
I'm telling ya, back in my day, we didn't even think about all this rocket science stuff ๐Ÿš€. Now, I'm not saying the Russians are completely lost or anything, but this Sarmat missile program is giving me some major flashbacks to the Cold War era ๐Ÿ˜ฌ. And it's crazy that Moonshot Space thinks they can just build a launch system with electromagnetic coils... like, how does that even work? ๐Ÿค”

But you know what's even crazier? SpaceX getting approved for another launch hub ๐Ÿš€. I mean, those guys are always pushing the boundaries, but now we're talking about 120 launches per year! That's just wild ๐ŸŽข. And what's up with China and Europe trying to develop their own reusable rockets? It feels like they're all racing against each other to see who can do it first ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ.

And let's be real, do launchers really need rocket engines anymore? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ I mean, Moonshot Space thinks so, but what if they're onto something new here? ๐Ÿค” It's exciting times for space travel, that's for sure... but also a little scary ๐Ÿ˜….
 
omg u guys space tech is movin fast ๐Ÿ”ฅ! russia's cosmodrome fail is a big deal, but i think its more about the sarmat missile program ๐Ÿš€. those guys need to get their act together if they wanna be a player in space

meanwhile korea's nuri rocket is straight fire ๐Ÿ’ฅ it just hit 4 successful launches and now they're talkin about reusable engines ๐Ÿ”„ that's some next level tech right there!

israel's moonshot space got some cool ideas with that electromagnetism launch system ๐Ÿคฏ but it also sounds like a total wild card ๐Ÿ”ฎ. either way, more options in space travel is always good for humanity ๐ŸŒŽ

and china's comin at us with a new reusable rocket in dec ๐Ÿ“† and europe's on board with the esa launcher challenge ๐Ÿ’ช we might just see some serious competition up in here soon โš”๏ธ
 
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