Technicians at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida completed the installation of four RS-25 rocket engines on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, for use with the Artemis III core stage. Meanwhile, European launch startups PLD Space and Isar Aerospace have both recently secured additional funding and are preparing for launches.
The RS-25 engines were installed inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, according to NASA. The engines are intended for the Artemis III mission.
Blue Origin is continuing work on its New Glenn rocket, despite an on-pad explosion in May. The company is officially targeting a return to flight by the end of the year, though skepticism remains. Blue Origin has also begun construction of a new Payload Processing Facility in Florida.
Isar Aerospace is preparing for another attempt to launch its Spectrum rocket from Andøya Spaceport in Norway, with a launch window opening Friday. The German company aims to deliver several small CubeSats to orbit. A previous test flight failed, and subsequent launch attempts have been hampered by technical issues and launch range availability. Isar Aerospace founder Daniel Metzler hopes to launch before the funeral of King Harald V of Norway on September 9, but the Norwegian government has indicated the mission can proceed during the mourning period. Isar Aerospace recently secured a 200 million euro ($230 million) contract from the European Space Agency to support further development of new launch vehicles.
Spanish launch services provider PLD Space has secured an additional 108 million euros ($126 million) in funding as it prepares for its inaugural orbital launch.
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