{
  "id": 8262738,
  "title": "Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/rocket-report-china-wants-a-raptor-3-engine-spacex-set-for-big",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-18T11:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/rocket-report-ula-flies-into-uncertain-future-falcon-9-family-hits-700-launches/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent report, it has been revealed that the dwindling fortunes of United Launch Alliance are drawing attention. Once a dominant force in the US industry, the launch company, co-owned by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, is now experiencing a decline. The potential future of this company and its involvement with expendable rockets is a topic of interest. To stay updated, readers are encouraged to subscribe to the Rocket Report provided in the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each edition of the report offers information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, along with insights into the upcoming three launches on the calendar. Avio, an Italian launch services provider, has seen an increase in customers who were previously unable to secure launch opportunities with SpaceX, as reported by European Spaceflight. Giulio Ranzo, Avio's CEO, stated during the company's September 10 earnings call that SpaceX has effectively become \"captive\" due to the numerous customers approaching them, expressing their inability to find alternative launch services. Recently, SpaceX has informed several prospective customers that it is no longer accepting new orders for commercial Falcon 9 launches.",
  "summary": "“I can tell you SpaceX has already gone captive.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}