An out-of-control Chinese rocket stage has plunged into the South Pacific, ending days of uncertainty that at one point saw Britain placed on a rare “red alert” for possible falling debris. The uncontrolled re-entry of the Zhuque-3 upper stage highlighted how a single wayward piece of hardware can rattle governments thousands of miles apart.

The Wet Dress Rehearsal is a critical test of the fueling and countdown of NASA's SLS rocket, which could launch a crew of four as early as Feb. 6.

Artemis II will flight-test Orion and the Space Launch System, introducing integrated spacecraft, rocket, and life-support systems designed for sustained human travel beyond low Earth orbit.

North Korea has conducted a test of an upgraded version of the 600mm MLRS, called the KN-25. The system can use both non-nuclear and nuclear

The rocket mission control systems market presents opportunities in advanced telemetry, AI-enhanced anomaly detection, and standardized architectures due to rising satellite launch frequencies and strategic partnerships.

NASA’s Space Launch System rocket is rolled out to Launch Complex 39B ahead of the Artemis II moon mission on Jan. 17, 2026. (T.J. Muscaro/The Epoch Times)

The H3 is a relatively new vehicle, with last month’s launch marking the eighth flight of Japan’s flagship rocket. The launcher falls on the medium-to-heavy section of the lift spectrum. The eighth H3 rocket lifted off from Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on December 22, local time, carrying a roughly 5-ton navigation satellite into space.

Key market opportunities in the rocket reaction control systems sector include the integration of AI for improved maneuvering, development of lightweight thruster systems, and rising demand in reusable spacecraft.