China may attempt booster landing soon; Rocket Lab completes rapid response mission
The latest Rocket Report (edition 8.47) notes that China may soon attempt a rocket booster landing, mirroring SpaceX's reusability approach. Rocket Lab successfully carried out its Victus Haze rapid-response mission last Friday. The report's author estimates fewer than one of the newly advertised US rockets — Rocket Lab's Neutron, Stoke Space's Nova, Relativity Space's Terran R, and Astra's Rocket 4 — is likely to debut in 2026.
Welcome to Edition 8.47 of the Rocket Report! We have now very nearly reached the midpoint of 2026, a year in which several new US rockets were advertised as potentially making their debuts. But now, we have to wonder whether any of them—Rocket Lab's Neutron, Stoke Space's Nova, Relativity Space's Terran R, and Astra's Rocket 4—will make it. I'd probably put the over/under at something like 0.5 of these launching. Please share your thoughts in the comments below! As always, we welcome reader submissions, and if you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar. Rocket Lab executes rapid response mission. Last Friday Rocket Lab launched the Victus Haze mission just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving the US Space Force’s Notice to Launch, beating the previous record by more than 10 hours, the company said. The launch was scarcely announced in advance, Ars reports. The only public indication of an impending launch was the release of a warning for pilots and sailors to steer clear of the rocket’s flight path. Rocket Lab did not provide a livestream of the launch, as it does for most of its missions.Read full article Comments
A handful of startup companies are testing therapies that edit the epigenome — chemical markers that regulate gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself. Target conditions include high cholesterol and rare muscular disorders. The approach builds on CRISPR gene-editing technology but focuses on switching genes on or off rather than cutting them.
Aseon Labs, a startup from Y Combinator's spring 2026 cohort, has raised $10 million led by Crane Venture Partners. The company aims to solve a key inefficiency in the robotaxi industry: autonomous vehicles currently drive long distances just to reach cleaning and charging facilities. Aseon Labs wants to bring these services closer to where the cars operate.
Several major Polish banks have scheduled technical maintenance this weekend, affecting online and mobile banking services. Some institutions will also suspend ATM access and card services during the works. Customers are advised to check their bank's maintenance schedule and withdraw cash in advance if needed.
Iga Świątek will face Taylor Townsend in the first round of Wimbledon 2026, which begins on Monday. Eurosport journalist Justyna Kostyra warns the draw is tougher than it appears, citing Townsend as a genuine threat. The tournament is the third Grand Slam of the season.
Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management, says that Jeffrey Epstein conned him out of more than $60 million. Black claims he was deceived by Epstein, framing himself as a victim rather than a willing participant in their financial relationship. No further details about the alleged fraud were provided in the source.
A gynecologist says that many patients feel unnecessary stress before appointments, worrying about intimate hygiene or appearance. Medical professionals approach these matters professionally and do not judge patients the way women often fear. The specialist encourages women not to postpone check-ups due to unfounded embarrassment.
Dexter Sol Ansell, the 11-year-old star of HBO's "Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," is now starring in the feature film "500 Miles," currently in UK cinemas. In an interview, he talks about his rapid rise to fame through the Game of Thrones universe. His co-star Bill Nighy offered him two key pieces of advice: "Pay your taxes and don't smoke."
A dog's body overheats far faster than a human's — just a few minutes in a locked car or a walk in direct sunlight can trigger heatstroke. Vets and police are urging owners never to leave animals in hot vehicles and to act immediately if a dog shows danger signs. Early warning signs include heavy panting, excessive drooling and unsteady movement.
Archaeologists have discovered a small rock-cut temple in an ancient quarry at Campos del Paraíso, near the Roman city of Segóbriga in central Spain. The miniature facade with a niche is dedicated to Minerva, goddess of wisdom and craftsmanship. The site is being studied by researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Museo Histórico Minero Felipe de Borbón y Grecia.
Shares in Fintech briefly returned to trading on the NewConnect market today despite an existing suspension order due to a missing annual report. During the erroneous resumption, the share price plunged over 61%. The Warsaw Stock Exchange announced it would cancel all transactions executed during that period.
At least 589 people have been killed and more than 2,980 injured in earthquakes in Venezuela, acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced on Friday. The disaster is among the deadliest in the country's recent history. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities assess the full scale of destruction.
A YouTube creator discovered that Google was displaying false information claiming they were sponsored by Ground News. The incident is an example of AI hallucination, where Google's systems generated plausible-sounding but entirely fabricated content. The creator published a post exposing the error.
Tennis has long attracted parents who put intense pressure on their children, drawn by the prospect of multi-million-pound prize money at the top level. The article explores why the sport's environment encourages such behaviour and what structural changes could help. Experts point to competitive culture and high financial stakes as the main drivers.
Researchers have found that a person's subjective assessment of their own health is one of the strongest predictors of longevity. Long-term medical studies confirm that people with a positive view of their own health tend to live longer. Scientists emphasise that personal beliefs about one's health condition have a measurable real-world impact on lifespan.
The University of Law and Administration (WSPiA) in Rzeszów has implemented an advanced virtual reality (VR) system for teaching forensic science to students. The technology is intended to enable realistic training in crime scene analysis and evidence collection. Details about the system's supplier or specific features were not provided.
Balmain Beauty is launching a new women's fragrance called Destin De Balmain. The scent is a bold floral-fruity eau de parfum designed to embody the brand's vision of an independent, young, and daring woman. It represents the untamed energy associated with the Balmain woman.
Pixar has unveiled a new theatrical short film called "Loving Dory," featuring the beloved characters Nemo and Dory. In the short, Dory falls in love with a plastic bag, with director Lou Hamou-Lhadj describing it as "a new chapter in Dory's story." Pixar also teased an upcoming project titled "Gatto" at the same event.
Falling prices for energy storage solutions, favorable legislation, and growing interest in direct power lines are creating new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to cut their electricity bills. On-site installations allow companies to reduce dependence on grid price fluctuations. Industry observers describe energy storage as a "third way" alongside solar panels and standard grid supply.
Two typhoons are simultaneously approaching Japan and may interact through the rare Fujiwara effect, in which two storm systems orbit each other and can merge or change course unpredictably. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and fourth-level mudslide warnings issued in some areas. The main island of the Japanese archipelago faces the most serious risk.
The Insta360 Luna Ultra is a 232-gram pocket-sized camera that impressed the reviewer from the very first use, with no significant drawbacks identified. The device is praised for its quality and capability relative to its compact size. The reviewer says it changes the way you look at the world around you.
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