Sovereign launch… HyPrSpace’s Baguette One is set to reach a height of approximately 10 meters (30 feet) and has the capability of transporting payloads weighing up to 300 kilograms (660 pounds) to suborbital space. The anticipated launch is scheduled for next year at a French missile testing facility located in the south of France. Sylvain Bataillard, the director general of HyPrSpace, expressed, “Achieving access to this dual-use launch pad in mainland France is a significant milestone following years of development on our hybrid propulsion technology. It presents a unique opportunity for HyPrSpace and represents a pivotal moment in our journey. We are excited to launch Baguette One and contribute to a more independent, sustainable, and forward-thinking European dual-use space industry.” (submitted by EllPeaTea)
Firefly moves closer to launching from Sweden. A new pact between the United States and Sweden brings Firefly Aerospace a step nearer to launching its Alpha rocket from a spaceport in Sweden, reports Space News. A technology safeguards agreement (TSA) was formalized during a ceremony held on June 20 at the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC. This agreement facilitates the export of U.S. rockets to Sweden for prospective launches while instituting protective measures for launch vehicle technology.
A special relationship… The U.S. government has established launch-related safeguard agreements with only a limited number of countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and now Sweden. Due to the potential military implications of rocket technology, exports are subject to stringent controls. Currently, Firefly launches its Alpha rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and is in the process of constructing a launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia. The company also holds a lease for a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, although it is prioritizing alternate locations. Last year, Firefly announced a deal with the Swedish Space Corporation to facilitate launches of the Alpha rocket from Esrange Space Center starting in 2026. (submitted by EllPeaTea)
Amazon is running strong out of the gate. For the second time in recent months, United Launch Alliance successfully deployed a batch of 27 broadband Internet satellites for Amazon on Monday morning, according to Ars. This mission marks the second launch carrying a full load of operational satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which aims to rival SpaceX’s Starlink network. As with the previous flight on April 28, an Atlas V rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, successfully placing Amazon’s satellites into the designated orbit approximately 280 miles (450 kilometers) above Earth.
