Welcome to our twentieth Monthly Dose of Space! In this monthly newsletter, we bring you major news from the past month. May has been another busy month, so let's jump into it!

News of the Month

News in May has seen another reusable rocket test vehicle performing a short hop, a first major contract for Impulse Space, the beginning of deployment for an AI compute constellation, and Firefly receiving new investment for its reusable rocket.

Tianwen-2 mission begins!

China's Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission has begun its journey out to asteroid 2016HO3/469219 Kamoʻoalewa following a launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on May 28th. With the launch, the spacecraft started its trek through deep space to its target asteroid, with arrival set for sometime in 2027.

After arriving, the probe will fly alongside the asteroid and search for a suitable sampling site before collecting between 200 and 1,000 grams of samples via touch-and-go as well as anchor-and-attach methods. The anchor-and-attach method will utilize four small robotic arms to secure the spacecraft, while a touch-and-go approach will be more akin to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission.

Once samples are collected and secured in the spacecraft’s sample container, Tianwen-2 will head back toward Earth and drop off the samples around 2029 during a flyby.

After the sample canister is released for retrieval by teams back on Earth, Tianwen-2 will begin its extended mission to asteroid 311P/PanSTARRS out in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Throughout the early 2030s, Tianwen-2 is planned to thoroughly study 311P whilst doubling as a test of China’s deep space communications infrastructure ahead of the Tianwen-4 mission to Jupiter in the 2030s.

When the mission returns samples, China will be the third nation to collect samples from an asteroid, after the United States and Japan.

Space Epoch performs China's latest reusable rocket test

The Yuanxingzhe-1 vertical takeoff vertical landing test vehicle hovering prior to its splashdown. ©Space Epoch
The Yuanxingzhe-1 vertical takeoff vertical landing test vehicle hovering prior to its splashdown. ©Space Epoch

The latest reusable rocket test from China occurred on May 29th when Space Epoch flew its Yuanxingzhe-1 vertical takeoff vertical landing test vehicle from a launch stand on the coast of Haiyang.

This test had the vehicle in flight for 125 seconds, with a peak altitude of 2.5 kilometers achieved. During the test, the vehicle performed a powered ascent and in-flight engine shutdown, followed by an unpowered descent before the engine restarted to perform a hover and splashdown.

The vehicle used for the test was powered by a single Longyun engine burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen, which generates 70 tons of thrust, from commercial engine provider Jiuzhou Yunjian. It weighs approximately 57,000 kilograms, being made out of stainless steel, with a diameter of 4.2 meters and a height of 26.8 meters. Four fins are also on the test vehicle for improved stability during unpowered descent.

Space Epoch expects the recent hop test to inform the development of its two-stage, partially reusable, Yuanxingzhe-1 launch vehicle. That vehicle is planned to be 4.2 meters in diameter and 64 meters tall while utilizing nine engines on the first-stage and one on the second-stage, sourced from Jiuzhou Yunjian. Yuanxingzhe-1 is expected to lift 6,500 kilograms to a 1,100-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit and more to lower, less energy-costly orbits. Recovery of the vehicle's first-stage will have it land at sea while being oriented by a series of small thrusters.

Northrop Grumman invests in Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace shared on May 29th that Northrop Grumman has invested fifty million United States Dollars into the company to advance production and development of their joint reusable launch vehicle called Eclipse, which is set to debut in 2026.

Eclipse is based upon Northrop Grumman’s Antares and Firefly’s Alpha rockets while boasting improved lift capability and cost savings. According to Firefly Aerospace, the rocket maintains flight-proven avionics from the Antares program with additional upgrades, including a larger 5.4-meter payload fairing. Eclipse also utilizes the same first stage Firefly is developing for Antares 330 and retains scaled-up versions of Alpha’s propulsion systems and carbon composite structures, allowing the team to rapidly build and test Eclipse with significant production efficiencies and economies of scale. Speaking on Eclipse, Wendy Williams, Vice President and General Manager, launch and missile defense systems at Northrop Grumman, stated:

“Eclipse gives customers the right balance between payload capacity and affordability,” – “Our partnership with Firefly builds on our capacity to provide crucial space-based communication, observation, and exploration for civil and national security customers.”

Additionally, Jason Kim, Chief Executive Officer at Firefly Aerospace, added the following:

“Firefly is incredibly grateful for Northrop Grumman’s investment that further solidifies our first-of-its-kind partnership to build the first stage of Antares 330 and jointly develop Eclipse,” – “Eclipse represents two powerful forces coming together to transform the launch market with decades of flight heritage, a rapid, iterative approach, and bold innovation. With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is a sweet spot for programs like NSSL Lane 1 and a natural fit to launch proliferated constellations in LEO, MEO, GEO, and TLI.”

Impulse Space and SES enter a multi-launch agreement, a first for the companies Helios tug

Members from Impulse and SES pose for a photo-op after signing a Multi launch contract at the Impulse Space HQ in Redondo Beach, California. ©Impulse Space
Members from Impulse and SES pose for a photo-op after signing a Multi launch contract at the Impulse Space HQ in Redondo Beach, California. ©Impulse Space

Impulse Space, an in-space transportation service provider founded by ex-SpaceX engineer Tom Mueller, has recently entered a multi-launch agreement with SES—a connectivity service provider. The contract will span multiple launches starting in 2027, with satellites being launched onboard a dedicated medium lift launcher into LEO. Once in a basic orbit, Impulse Space's Helios, an absurdly powerful and efficient tug will propel SES satellite's directly to a Geostationary orbit in mere hours. This will greatly speed up how SES is able to expand their constellation in GEO, with Impulse providing unparalleled performance.

"We believe MEO and GEO play a critical role in the space economy, but operators today face the challenges of slow, expensive, and inflexible access to these essential orbits. Helios changes that—it’s built to move large payloads to high-energy orbits quickly and reliably. SES has a long history of embracing innovation and pushing our industry forward, and we’re proud they’ve chosen Helios to support the next phase of their deployment strategy." - Tom Mueller, founder and CEO of Impulse Space

ADA Space begins building AI compute constellation

Chinese satellite manufacturer ADA Space started deploying satellites for its 'Three-Body Computing Constellation' on May 14th, with the launch of twelve satellites.

The twelve satellites are the first of up to two thousand eight hundred satellites for integrating space and ground computing into a single AI infrastructure, to allow for faster spacecraft data utilization across multiple industries. In regulatory filings, ADA Space explains why they are building the constellation:

"[Our satellites are] designed to interconnect space-based computing network supported by AI satellites with ground-based computing network, forming an integrated infrastructure that enables high-quality algorithm deployment, seamless satellite remote sensing data processing, advanced computing power and efficient communication between space and ground. Through [the satellites], we aim to drive the intelligent transformation of industries worldwide, enhancing our industry impact and solidifying our market position.”

Research enterprise Zhejiang Lab is providing additional expertise for the computing constellation.

In order for the satellites to operate as intended, each spacecraft is equipped with onboard artificial intelligence processors, laser inter-satellite communication links capable of speeds up to 100 gigabits per second, and space-based computing systems capable of performing up to 744 trillion operations per second. The satellites also carry large-scale AI models with up to eight billion parameters.

To deploy the few thousand satellites planned, two types of spacecraft are being utilized. One type is stackable, allowing numerous spacecraft of the same design to be placed on top of each other. The other design is a more conventional CubeSat, allowing it to be a secondary payload for other missions with extra payload capacity left.

Similar efforts to ADA Space's exist in the West, with Relativity Space's Eric Schmidt wanting to put data centers in orbit.

Launches of the Month

This month saw 30 launches worldwide, speeding up a busy year. If you want to know what each launch was we have them all listed below!

Twenty-eight Starlink satellites were launched to low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 flying from Space Launch Complex 40. Booster B1080 supported this mission for its eighteenth flight, with a landing on the drone ship 'Just Read The Instructions'.

From Launch Complex 39A, in Florida, a Falcon 9 blasted off carrying twenty-nine Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. Supporting this mission was booster B1078, for its twentieth flight with a landing downrange on the drone ship 'A Shortfall Of Gravitas'.

Twenty-eight more Starlink satellites headed to low Earth orbit atop of a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40, in Florida. Booster B1085 supported this mission for its seventh flight, with a landing on the drone ship 'Just Read The Instructions' downrange.

Another twenty-six Starlink satellites departed from Space Launch Complex 4E, in California, atop of a Falcon 9 to low Earth orbit. In support of this mission was booster B1081 for its fourteenth flight, landing downrange on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You'.

Falcon 9 launched another twenty-eight Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40. Flying for the eleventh time was booster B1083, which landed downrange on the drone ship 'A Shortfall Of Gravitas'.

May 11th - Long March 6A Yaogan-40 Group-02

A Long March 6A lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center carrying three satellites into polar orbit for Yaogan-40 Group-02. The three satellites are expected to perform electromagnetic environment monitoring of areas of the Earth below.

May 12th - Long March 3C/E with TJSW-19

The first Long March 3C/E in almost four years blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center carrying the TJSW-19 satellite to geostationary orbit. TJSW-19 is said to provide communications, radio, television, and data transmission, as well as testing and verification for multi-band high-speed throughput communications technologies.

A Falcon 9 departed from Space Launch Complex 4E, in California, carrying twenty-six Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. Supporting this mission was booster B1088, for its sixth flight, and landing downrange on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You'.

Another batch of twenty-eight Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 flying from Launch Complex 39A, in Florida. Booster B1067 supported this mission on its twenty-eighth flight, with a landing on the drone ship 'Just Read The Instructions' downrange'.

May 14th - Long March 2D with Three-Body Computing Constellation Group-01

A Long March 2D blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center carrying the first 12 satellites for ADA Space's Three-Body Computing Constellation into sun-synchronous orbit. This constellation could have up to 2,800 satellites in orbit for AI-enabled processing of spacecraft data in space.

Twenty-eight more Starlink satellites were sent to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40, in Florida, atop of a Falcon 9. In support of this mission was booster B1090, performing its fourth flight and landing downrange on the drone ship 'A Shortfall Of Gravitas'.

Yet another Falcon 9 delivered another twenty-six Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E. Booster B1093, on its second flight, supported this mission, with a landing on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' downrange.

May 17th - Zhuque-2E with six Tianyi satellites

LandSpace's Zhuque-2E rocket performed its second flight from Launch Area 96A at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying six Tianyi satellites to a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellites, developed by Spacety, are Tianyi-29, Tianyi-34, Tianyi-35, Tianyi-42, Tianyi-45, and Tianyi-46. They will be used for Earth imaging, geological monitoring, radar-based change detection, laser communication tests, and space science research.

May 17th - Electron for 'The Sea God Sees'

Rocket Lab launched its Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1A, on the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand, carrying one of iQPS' synthetic aperture radar satellites to low Earth orbit. The satellite is planned to be part of a constellation of thirty-six satellites that will repeatedly image parts of Earth every ten minutes.

May 18th - PSLV-XL with RISAT-1B

A PSLV-XL rocket launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in India, hoping to deliver the RISAT-1B synthetic aperture radar imaging satellite to low Earth orbit. Sadly during the third-stage underperformed during its burn, leading in a failure to reach orbit.

May 19th - Ceres-1S with four Tianqi satellites

Galactic Energy's Ceres-1S delivered four Tianqi satellites to a 850-kilometer 45-degree inclination low Earth orbit from the coast of Rizhao in the Yellow Sea. The satellites being launched were Tianqi-16, Tianqi-17, Tianqi-19, and Tianqi-20 for Guodian Gaoke's Internet-of-Things constellation.

May 20th - Long March 7A with ChinaSat-3B

A Long March 7A lifted off from Launch Complex 201 at the Wenchang Space Launch Site carrying the ChinaSat-3B satellite to geostationary transfer orbit. ChinaSat-3B is expected to provide communications, radio, and television transmission services, while complementing ChinaSat-3A.

Twenty-three Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit atop of a Falcon 9 flying from Space Launch Complex 40, in Florida. Booster B1095 supported this mission, believed to be on its first flight, with a landing downrange on the drone ship 'Just Read The Instructions'.

May 21st - Kinetica-1 for its return-to-flight mission

CAS Space's Kinetica-1 rocket performed its return to flight mission from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying six satellites to sun-synchronous orbit. The satellites onboard were Taijing-3-04, Taijing-4-02A, Xingrui-11, Xingjiyuan-1, Lifang108-001 (also known as Tadahuyang-1), and Xiguang-1-02.

May 23rd - Soyuz 2.1b with Kosmos 2588

A Soyuz 2.1b launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome carrying a military spacecraft into low Earth orbit.

Twenty-seven more Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 flying from Space Launch Complex 4E, in California. Supporting this launch was booster B1075 for its eighteenth flight, with a landing on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' down range.

Another twenty-three Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40. Booster B1069 supported this launch on its twenty-fourth flight, landing on the drone ship 'A Shortfall Of Gravitas' downrange.

Twenty-four Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 flying from Space Launch Complex 4E, in California. Supporting this mission was booster B1082 on its thirteenth flight, and landing downrange on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You'.

May 27th - Starship-Super Heavy for its ninth flight test

SpaceX launched its in-development fully reusable Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle on its ninth flight test, using Ship 35 and Booster 14, from its south Texas launch site. During the flight test, Booster 14 exploded very shortly into its landing burn and Ship 35 lost control following the shutdown of its engines.

From Launch Complex 39A, in Florida, another Falcon 9 sent twenty-seven Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. Booster B1080, flying for the nineteenth time, supported this mission, landing downrange on the drone ship 'Just Read The Instructions' afterwards.

May 28th - Long March 3B/E with Tianwen-2

China's Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission Tianwen-2 blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center atop of a Long March 3B/E, flying out of the Earth-Moon system. Tianwen-2 is journeying to asteroid 2016HO3/469219 Kamoʻoalewa to gather between 200 and 1,000 grams of samples.

May 29th - Long March 4B with Shijian-26

A Long March 4B lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center carrying the Shijian-26 spacecraft to a sun-synchronous orbit. Shijian-26 is expected to serve land census and environmental monitoring efforts to inform agricultural policy.

May 30th - Falcon 9 with GPS-III SV08

SpaceX's Falcon 9 flew to medium Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40, in Florida, carrying the GPS-III SV08 satellite for the U.S. military. In support of this mission was booster B1092, flying for the fourth time, with a landing on the drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' downrange.

May 31st - New Shepard for NS-32

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket conducted another suborbital tourist mission from the company's West Texas launch site. Onboard were Aymette Medina Jorge, Dr. Gretchen Green, Jaime Alemán, Jesse Williams, Mark Rocket, and Paul Jeris.

Another Falcon 9 launched a batch of twenty-seven Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E. Booster B1071 supported this mission for its twenty-fifth flight, with a landing on the drone ship 'Of Course I Still Love You' downrange.

Launches to look out for in June!

June will continue a busy year for worldwide launches. Listed below are all of the launches expected or likely to happen next month, launches on the 1st of June may have already occurred due to when this newsletter is published.

SpaceX is planning to launch another batch of Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 to low Earth orbit.

June 3rd - Electron for 'Full Stream Ahead'

Rocket Lab is aiming to launch its Electron rocket from the company's launch site on the Māhia Peninsula, in New Zealand, carrying a single satellite to low Earth orbit for BlackSky Technology.

Another Falcon 9 is expected to launch from Space Launch Complex 4E carrying more Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit.

June 7th - Falcon 9 with SXM-10

A Falcon 9 is planning to launch SiriusXM's SXM-10 satellite to geostationary transfer orbit with a launch from Space Launch Complex 40.

June 8th - Falcon 9 with Axiom-4

SpaceX is expecting to launch the Axiom-4 mission on a Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying Peggy Whitson from the U.S., Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sławosz Uznański from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, to the International Space Station atop of a Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A.

Yet another group of Starlink satellites is planned to head to low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 4E.

June 13th - Atlas V with KA-02

United Launch Alliance is preparing to launch Amazon's second group of twenty-seven Kuiper satellites to low Earth orbit to build the space-based internet mega-constellation.

June 18th - GSLV Mk-II with NISAR

The Indian Space Research Organization is planning to launch its GSLV Mk-II rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Center carrying the NISAR satellite, developed with NASA, to sun-synchronous orbit.

June 21st - Falcon 9 with Transporter-14

SpaceX is preparing to fly its fourteenth Transporter sun-synchronous orbit small satellite rideshare mission with a Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 4E.

June 23rd - H-2A with GOSAT-GW

A H-2A rocket is planning to fly from the Tanegashima Space Center for the final time carrying GOSAT-GW (Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite Greenhouse gases and Water cycle) to sun-synchronous orbit.