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Digital Trends
2 hours ago
- Digital Trends
Starship's 10th flight won't include that magical maneuver
SpaceX is gearing up for the 10th launch of the Starship, the most powerful rocket ever to fly. Whether you're watching this weekend's launch online or in person, the Starship flights from SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica, Texas, are always dramatic, with the massive 121-meter-tall rocket generating an astonishing 17 million pounds of thrust as the vehicle roars away from the launchpad. Recommended Videos Just a few minutes into the flight, all being well, the upper-stage Starship spacecraft will separate from the first-stage Super Heavy booster. In three of its nine test flights to date, the 71-meter-tall Super Heavy booster has performed a spectacular — and autonomous — landing back at the launch site, with a pair of giant mechanical arms on the launch tower securing the descending rocket just meters above the ground. But for its 10th flight, SpaceX has said it won't be attempting the catch, instead sending the Super Heavy booster into the ocean in a controlled splashdown. The absence of the impressive maneuver during the upcoming test mission will come as a big disappointment for many Starship fans who were hoping to witness the catch (you can watch an earlier one instead). SpaceX has decided to forgo the landing because one of the goals of the 10th flight includes testing a steeper — and therefore riskier — descent angle for the booster as part of efforts to improve the rocket's efficiency. Of course, it could attempt the steeper descent while bringing the rocket back to Starbase, but that would risk damaging the launch tower, which is a costly and crucial part of the facility. So, bringing the Super Heavy down in the ocean lets SpaceX test the descent process while minimizing risk. Future flights will see the launch tower come back into use for landings, hopefully soon. Catching the booster in this way allows SpaceX to reuse it for multiple missions, just like it does now with its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket. In upcoming tests, SpaceX also wants to land the Starship spacecraft back at Starbase so that it can reuse that as well.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is on the verge of erupting again
HONOLULU (AP) — Lava shoots high into the sky. Molten rock erupts from two vents simultaneously. The nighttime sky glows red and orange, reflecting the lava oozing across a summit crater. Scientists expect Kilauea volcano to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity of one of the world's most active volcanoes. A few lucky residents and visitors will have a front row view at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If the past is a guide, hundreds of thousands more will be watching popular livestreams made possible by three camera angles set up by the U.S. Geological Survey. Whenever she gets word the lava is back, Park Service volunteer Janice Wei hustles to shoot photos and videos of Halemaumau Crater — which Native Hawaiian tradition says is the home to the volcano goddess Pele. She said when the molten rock shoots high like a fountain it sounds like a roaring jet engine or crashing ocean waves. She can feel its heat from over a mile away. 'Every eruption feels like I am sitting in the front row at nature's most extraordinary show,' Wei said in an email. Kilauea is on Hawaii Island, the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago. It's about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the state's largest city, Honolulu, which is on Oahu. Here's what to know about Kilauea's latest eruption: Towering fountains of molten rock A lower magma chamber under Halemaumau Crater is receiving magma directly from the earth's interior about 5 cubic yards (3.8 cubic meters) per second, said Ken Hon, the scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. This blows the chamber up like a balloon and forces magma into an upper chamber. From there, it gets pushed above ground through cracks. Magma has been using the same pathway to rise to the surface since December, making the initial release and subsequent episodes all part of the same eruption, Hon said. Many have featured lava soaring into the air, in some cases more than 1,000 feet (300 meters.) The fountains are generated in part because magma — which holds gasses that are released as it rises — has been traveling to the surface through narrow, pipe-like vents. The expanding magma supply is capped by heavier magma that had expelled its gas at the end of the prior episode. Eventually enough new magma accumulates to force the degassed magma off, and the magma shoots out like champagne bottle that was shaken before the cork was popped. This is the fourth time in 200 years that Kilauea has shot lava fountains into the air in repeated episodes. There were more episodes the last time Kilauea followed this pattern: the eruption that began in 1983 started with 44 sessions of shooting fountains. Those were spread out over three years, however. And the fountains emerged in a remote area so few got to watch. The other two occurred in 1959 and 1969. Predicting Kilauea's future Scientists don't know how the current eruption will end or how it may change. In 1983, magma built enough pressure that Kilauea opened a vent at a lower elevation and started continuously leaking lava from there rather than periodically shooting out of a higher elevation. The eruption continued in various forms for three decades and only ended in 2018. Something similar could happen again. Or the current eruption could instead stop at the summit if its magma supply peters out. Scientists can estimate a few days or even a week ahead of time when lava is likely to emerge with the help of sensors around the volcano that detect earthquakes and miniscule changes in the angle of the ground, which indicate when magma is inflating or deflating. 'Our job is like being a bunch of ants crawling on an elephant trying to figure out how the elephant works,' Hon said. The lava fountains have been shorter lately. Steve Lundblad, a University of Hawaii at Hilo geology professor, said the vent may have gotten wider, leaving molten rock less pressurized. 'We're still gonna have spectacular eruptions,' he said. 'They're just going to be be wider and not as high.' Carrying stories of Pele Some people may see lava flows as destructive. But Huihui Kanahele-Mossman, the executive director of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, said lava is a natural resource that hardens into land and forms the foundation for everything on Hawaii Island. Kanahele-Mossman's nonprofit is named after her grandmother — the esteemed practitioner of Hawaiian language and culture, and founder of a noted hula halau, or school. Hālau o Kekuhi is celebrated for its mastery of a style of hula rooted in the stories of Pele and her sister, Hiʻiaka. Kanahele-Mossman has visited the crater a few times since the eruption began. She initially watches in awe and reverence. But then she observes more details so she can go home and compare it to the lava in the centuries-old tales that her school performs. At the crater, she delivers a chant prepared in advance and places offerings. Recently she presented awa, a drink made with kava, and a fern lei. 'You as the dancer, you are the storyteller and you carry that history that was written in those mele forward,' she said, using the Hawaiian word for song. 'To be able to actually see that eruption that's described in the mele, that's always exciting to us and drives us and motivates us to stay in this tradition.' Visiting the volcano Park visitation has risen all eight months of the year so far, in part because of the eruption. In April, there were 49% more visitors than the same month of 2024. Park spokesperson Jessica Ferracane noted that the last several episodes have only lasted about 10 to 12 hours. Those wanting to go should sign up for U.S. Geological Survey alert notifications because the eruption could be over before you know it, she said. She cautioned that visitors should stay on marked trails and overlooks because unstable cliff edges and earth cracks may not be immediately apparent and falling could lead to serious injury or death. People should also keep young children close. Volcanic gas, glass and ash can also be dangerous. Those visiting at night should bring a flashlight.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is This Space Stock the Next Big Trillion-Dollar Opportunity?
The race to dominate space is no longer limited to just exploration, but is also about securing tomorrow's infrastructure and defense systems. Among the most ambitious players, Rocket Lab (RKLB) is emerging as one of the most compelling space companies. Rocket Lab stock has soared 604.6% over the past year. So far this year, the stock has captured attention, rising 81.5%, wildly outperforming the broader market gain. More News from Barchart Trade the Warren Buffett Rally in UnitedHealth Stock With This High-Reward, Low-Risk Options Strategy Lyft Generates Huge FCF Margins - LYFT Stock Is Too Cheap Cathie Wood Is Buying BLSH Stock After the Bullish IPO. Should You? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. The global space economy is estimated to be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035. With record revenues, expanding contracts with space agencies and the U.S. Department of Defense, and its upcoming Neutron rocket program, the company is making a strong case that it could be a leading player in the next trillion-dollar opportunity in space. Let's find out if RKLB stock is a buy now. About Rocket Labs Valued at $20.4 billion, Rocket Lab specializes in launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and satellite solutions. The company is best known for its Electron rocket, a small-lift launch vehicle used to place small satellites in orbit. It has a lifting capacity of about 300 kilograms. Electron is one of the most frequently launched U.S. rockets after Elon Musk-owned SpaceX's Falcon 9, mainly serving the small satellite market. To compete more directly with SpaceX, the company is developing Neutron, a larger rocket designed for medium-class payloads and potentially reusable launch systems. The company also manufactures spacecraft platforms and components, which are not only used in Rocket Lab missions, but also sold to other aerospace and defense firms. This diversification is critical because the satellite market and defense-related contracts generate recurring, high-margin revenue streams in contrast to the capital-intensive launch business. Rocket Lab Is Soaring High In the second quarter, total revenue came in at $144.5 million, a 36% year-over-year increase. Space Systems delivered $97.9 million in revenue driven by rising demand for satellite components and manufacturing. Launch Services generated $66.6 million, indicating strong demand for Electron launches and early pipeline momentum for Neutron and the hypersonic-testing HASTE program. Importantly, Rocket Lab ended Q2 with $1 billion in backlog, demonstrating its robust order pipeline. Management anticipates that approximately 58% of this backlog will be converted to revenue within the next 12 months, providing the company with visibility into near-term growth. With 70 launches completed, Electron has shown dependability that competitors in the small-launch market struggle to match. While Electron is Rocket Lab's present, Neutron is its future. Neutron, designed as a reusable medium-lift rocket, will compete directly with SpaceX's Falcon 9 for commercial and national security missions. The company anticipates receiving Neutron's first launch license by the end of this year. During the Q2 earnings call, management emphasized that Rocket Lab is not simply building one rocket. Instead, it is investing in scalable infrastructure to accommodate multiple Neutron flights each year. The company intends to produce three Neutrons per year beginning next year, thanks to automated composite manufacturing and long-lead equipment orders. If successful, Neutron could help Rocket Lab capture a much larger share of the more than $100 billion global launch services market. Furthermore, one of Rocket Lab's boldest moves this year has been the acquisition of GEOST, a leading manufacturer of space-based missile tracking satellites. This agreement solidifies Rocket Lab's strategy of vertical integration, from launch to spacecraft and now payloads. This establishes the company as a one-stop shop for national security operations. Rocket Lab's ambitions go far beyond Earth orbit. The company has been heavily involved in Mars exploration, providing components for missions such as NASA's InSight lander, the Perseverance rover's cruise stage, and the Ingenuity helicopter. The company remains unprofitable due to high R&D costs. Net losses came in at $0.13 per share, while adjusted EBITDA losses reached $27.6 million. At the end of the second quarter, liquidity remained strong at $754 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities. Despite the tremendous opportunities, risks persist. A slip in Neutron's launch schedule could dampen momentum and test investor patience. Rocket Lab must deliver on time, at scale, and with unwavering reliability. Looking ahead, management anticipates Q3 revenue to be between $145 million and $155 million. Adjusted gross margins could reach 39% to 41%, indicating improved launch economics and overhead absorption. Adjusted EBITDA loss is expected to narrow to between $21 million and $23 million, highlighting the company's progress toward profitability as R&D spending shifts from development to recurring flight operations. Analysts covering Rocket Lab stock predict that revenue will increase by 34.6% in 2025, followed by a 52.6% increase in 2026. Analysts anticipate that losses will gradually decrease by next year. Trading at 36 times forward sales, Rocket Lab's stock is steep, but it reflects investors' high expectations. What Does Wall Street Say About Rocket Lab Stock? Overall, Wall Street rates Rocket Lab stock a 'Moderate Buy.' Of the 15 analysts who cover the stock, eight rate it as a 'Strong Buy,' one says it is a 'Moderate Buy,' while the remaining six rate it a 'Hold.' The stock has surpassed its average target price of $43.85. But its high target price of $55 implies a 22% increase from current levels. The Key Takeaway Given the financial momentum, a billion-dollar backlog, and strong liquidity, if Rocket Lab executes on its strategy, it could emerge as a key player in the next wave of the space industry, which could be worth trillions within the next decade. While Rocket Lab is an intriguing growth stock, risk-averse investors may want to wait until the company generates a profit before making any investment decisions. On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
