DeepBlue has successfully conducted the first full-system hot test of its Thunder-RS 130-ton LOX/Kerosene engine.
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Payload does matter, the payload launched by every LM5 mission is beyond the ability of any active service US launch vehicle after D4H retirement, yes that include New Glen and F9H.Payload should be look at more as well. Since you can launch a few tiny satellites 40times on the most small basic rocket and claim to be ahead as well, meanwhile your comoetitor can launch just 4 launches which dwsrfs all the satellite launches you carried out. So yeah payload matters as well.
However china and the US are not competing in the same market due to US sanctions, China has her own national objective to pursue so they dont really compete directly on the world market. Plus China space industry has its own set of goals which they are working towards different from the US and its private company spaceX
Soviet satellites had way lower lifetimes. That is one reason why they needed more launches. The Soviets also had constellations like Legenda which the US did not have back then.View attachment 162663
The above graphic displays the USSR's numbers advantage from late 60's to mid 90's BUT how that didn't provide them with the qualitative strategic edge vis a vis United States.
Based on my observation of the social media. IMO one from XSLC, the other from JSLC.I've read rumors of 2 mid-course intercept test last week, so maybe it's possible they're two different launches?
Is there a reason for such a long delay between this launch and the last one by Spacesail? I hope they won't keep launching so sparsely, else their constellation wont be viable. Guowang by contrast seems to be on the right momentum/path to achieve their objectives IF THEY CARRY ON THE CURRENT LAUNCH RATE.
SpaceSail finally had its first launch since March. Now, 108 sats in the space