Rocket Report: Lightning strikes in China; Starship launch on deck
Relativity Space announced plans to build a second rocket factory near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Welcome to Edition 9.04 of the Rocket Report! This edition covers recent lightning strikes in China and the successful launch of SpaceX's Starship.
In China, lightning posed a threat to operations. However, details on the severity or aftermath of these strikes are scarce in the source provided.
Meanwhile, SpaceX's 13th Starship test flight, initially delayed by a last-minute abort on July 16, is now set for a Friday evening liftoff. The booster returned to its hangar for engine replacement following the abort. A flawless launch and reentry would mark SpaceX's first orbital flight later this year.
In other space news, India celebrated the successful debut of its first private rocket, Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1. The rocket reached an orbit 280 miles high following a launch from Sriharikota Island in the Bay of Bengal. The launch, initially delayed more than half an hour due to a technical issue, proceeded as planned with Starship igniting its solid-fueled first stage booster.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
