Does anyone actually want to win the medium-lift race in the United States?
Ars Technica is here to help with a guide to the medium-lift space race.
In the United States, a new generation of medium-lift rockets is emerging, diverging significantly from the Antares vehicle. The Antares, developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, debuted 13 years ago but has not kept pace with contemporary advancements. Its initial 100-series variant was plagued with issues, employing outdated Soviet engines from the Apollo era and relying on a Ukrainian-built core stage. The Antares faced its first mishap during its fifth launch in 2014, resulting in an explosion.
The Antares marks the final stand of a declining breed of medium-lift rockets, characterized by a lift capacity ranging from 2 to 20 metric tons. Now, a fresh wave of medium-lift vehicles is on the horizon, showcasing a stark contrast to the Antares. These newer rockets exhibit a more modern and sophisticated design, eschewing the outdated components and manufacturing practices that plagued their predecessor.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
