Skyroot wins two US launches as FAA considers more Starbase traffic
The article surveys developments across the launch industry, including India’s Skyroot winning two launches from US company Reflect Orbital and the FAA considering more traffic at SpaceX’s Starbase. These plans reflect rising demand for launch capacity, while several newer rockets face delays or are still in development.
Reflect Orbital plans a 50,000-satellite mirror constellation and has booked flights on Skyroot’s Vikram-1 and upgraded Vikram-1U rockets. Colorado startup LEAP is targeting its first Bighorn orbital launch in 2028, with initial factory capacity for six rockets a year. Rocket Lab has pushed Neutron’s first flight to 2027 after a manufacturing issue with its carbon-composite structures; Japan’s MMX mission is also expected to launch soon to explore Mars’s moons and collect samples for return in 2031.
- Reflect Orbital booked two Skyroot launches.
- LEAP is targeting a 2028 debut for its Bighorn rocket.
- Rocket Lab’s Neutron first flight has slipped to 2027.
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Commercial space launches are flights that carry satellites and other spacecraft into orbit. Companies and governments need them to deploy new services and carry out research, but building rockets and arranging launch sites takes time.
Skyroot is an Indian rocket company; Reflect Orbital is a US startup planning a large group of satellites designed to reflect sunlight towards parts of Earth. Its planned flights on Skyroot rockets show how launch providers can serve customers across national borders. SpaceX operates Starbase in Texas, where the Federal Aviation Administration oversees aspects of launch activity and considers its effects on airspace and the surrounding area.
Demand for launch capacity is growing, while some newer rockets are still being developed or have faced delays. The pace and availability of launches matter to satellite projects and scientific missions, including efforts to explore distant worlds.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Rocket Report: FAA eyes more Starbase traffic; India’s Skyroot snares US customer”.