UK-based launch company Orbex has entered insolvency proceedings after a planned takeover by European space logistics startup The Exploration Company fell through. The company announced that all "fundraising, merger and acquisition opportunities had all concluded unsuccessfully" after a decade of operation without producing ready-for-flight hardware. This marks another setback for European launch ambitions as Skyrora has expressed interest in acquiring some of Orbex's assets.

Meanwhile, China demonstrated significant progress in reusable launch technology with a subscale version of the Long March 10 rocket successfully launching and executing a picture-perfect ocean landing. This development signals China's rapid catch-up to the United States in reusable launch capabilities, representing what analysts consider the most significant development in the launch sector this week. The successful test comes as competition intensifies in the global launch market.

In other industry news, Rocket Lab has conducted destructive testing on two Archimedes rocket engines at its Mississippi test facility over the past three months. The company is preparing for upcoming launches while grappling with how to compete against SpaceX, which accounted for about half of all orbital launches globally in 2025 despite strong customer demand for launch services. Industry executives remain divided on whether competing on price is a viable strategy against SpaceX's dominant market position.