# Cowboy Space reveals 86-metre Big Iron rocket plans

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/rocket-report-winter-is-coming-for-themis-cowboy-space-adds-iron-to-the-fire/
- Published: 2026-10-30T11:00:35+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T12:48:58+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/10/rocket-report-winter-is-coming-for-themis-cowboy-space-adds-iron-to-the-fire/
- Topics: Culture, Space, Technology, Travel

## Key points

- Cowboy Space revealed plans for its 86-metre Big Iron rocket.
- The company aims to launch it before the end of 2028.
- Winter could delay Europe’s Themis rocket test.

## Summary

Cowboy Space has unveiled plans for Big Iron, a new medium-lift rocket, as launch providers face concerns that demand may outstrip supply. The announcement adds another prospective launcher to a crowded field, though the company showed little hardware and remains behind several rivals approaching launch.

The rocket is planned to stand 86 metres tall and use methane-fuelled Clydesdale engines: nine on the first stage and one on the second. Cowboy Space is targeting a first launch before the end of 2028. The report also notes that winter weather may delay the European Space Agency’s Themis reusable rocket test, while Virgin Galactic has moved its new Apeiron rocket plane to Spaceport America ahead of testing.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.