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Building a rocket is hard. AST SpaceMobile thinks it's "simple."
Why it’s here: Covers AST SpaceMobile's plan for a new orbital launch vehicle at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, a federal launch site, and its questionable 2028 timeline, which bears on space launch capacity and industry standing relevant to DC space policy.
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3d agoArs Technica SpaceBuilding a rocket is hard. AST SpaceMobile thinks it's "simple."Ars Technica questions AST SpaceMobile's claim that its Blacklift rocket, built with Firefly engines, can be ready for launch in 2028, calling the timeline unrealistic.1 outletSpace6 linked
Connected
6 links- NewsRocket Lab Q3 2026: Neutron orders pile up before first flightBoth involve Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, Neutron
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- News5N Plus carries the space index through a Thursday sell-offBoth involve Rocket Lab, Firefly Aerospace, AST SpaceMobile
- NewsPentagon Gives $150M Loan to Rocket Lab to Boost New Vehicle’s Launch CadenceBoth involve Rocket Lab, Neutron
- NewsDoD pushes out 3 loans totaling $450M to bolster US space companiesBoth involve Rocket Lab, Neutron
- MoneyFIREFLY AEROSPACE INC. — National Aeronautics and Space Administration award 80JSC025F7026Both involve Firefly Aerospace
About
- Rocket Lab
- Firefly Aerospace
- AST SpaceMobile
- Neutron