SpaceX says the inaugural flight test of its Falcon 9 rocket on June 4 achieved all of its primary mission objectives and culminated in “a nearly perfect” orbital placement of the rocket’s second stage and mock cargo spacecraft. “This is a major milestone not only for SpaceX, but the increasingly bright future of space flight,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and chief technology officer. The Falcon 9, powered by a cluster of nine SpaceX-developed Merlin engines, lifted off from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., where it was supported by airmen of the 45th Space Wing. SpaceX is under contract with NASA to mature Falcon 9 for use in supplying the International Space Station and eventually carrying astronauts there. Two additional Falcon 9 test launches are planned from Cape Canaveral. (SpaceX release) (Cape Canaveral release)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
