The final launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket is set for a second attempt on Friday, while British launch company Orbex patents reusable rocket technology for its small Prime rocket. Boeing sues Virgin Galactic over alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, and Japan's space agency, JAXA, selects Interstellar Technologies and others as priority launch providers to advance the commercialization of space.
Virgin Galactic reported a net loss of $159 million in Q1 2023, compared to $93 million in Q1 2022, as it prepares for its first commercial flight later this year and invests heavily in its next-gen Delta spacecraft. Meanwhile, Australia has cut a plan to bankroll spaceports and rocket launch facilities, including $32.3 million slated to co-invest in spaceports and launch sites. Orbital Today has published a ranking of six launch companies in the United Kingdom, with Skyrora atop its list, and Orbex at the bottom due to the abrupt departure of CEO Chris Larmour. Finally, Orbex has begun construction at Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland, which will become the "home" spaceport of the Scottish-based business, which will use the site to launch up to 12 rockets per year for the deployment of satellites into low-Earth orbit.
