SpaceX's Starship is slated for its 13th test flight, with liftoff scheduled for Friday evening after a previous engine swap. A successful test could position SpaceX for orbital flights this year.

Meanwhile, India celebrated the successful debut of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1, its first commercial rocket, reaching a 280-mile orbit. The 72-foot-tall rocket successfully launched from Sriharikota Island.

In other news, the U.S. Interior Department is exploring the use of inactive offshore oil platforms as potential rocket launch sites to alleviate congestion and enhance resilience. Lockheed Martin is also collaborating with Venus Aerospace to evaluate rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technology for potential military applications. The U.S. Space Force has also increased the maximum value of its National Security Space Launch contracts by $17 billion to meet rising demand for military satellite launches.