Rocket Report: Europe splashes some cash on launch startups; Pallas-1 nears debut

Welcome to Edition 9.08 of the Rocket Report! Some major news this week from the state of Louisiana, previously associated with space due to NASA's aging Michoud Assembly Facility near New Orleans.

Now the state has a chance to become the epicenter of SpaceX's Starship program as the company plans to invest up to $100 billion to construct factories and multiple launch pads for the super heavy lift rocket.

It would utterly transform coastal Louisiana.

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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.

ESA announces big launch challenge contracts .

The European Space Agency said Thursday it signed contracts with a handful of European launch startups to help them continue development of their vehicles.

"The European Launcher Challenge is ESA’s initiative to expand European launch service supply and ensure more robustness in Europe’s access to space," the space agency said of the award, which supports the development and operation of small launch vehicles in Europe.

For some of these firms, the funding will provide a key lifeline.

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