Rocket Report: Winter is coming for Themis; Cowboy Space adds iron to the fire
Summary
Ars Technica's Rocket Report recaps a busy week in space: Cowboy Space unveiled the Big Iron, a 282-foot methane-fueled medium-lift launcher, while Virgin Galactic pushes toward suborbital service with its Delta-class plane Apeiron; ESA's Themis faces winter-related flight uncertainty. The piece also covers Stoke Space's Pentagon loan to expand launch capacity, SpaceX-NASA dynamics, ULA's Vulcan return to flight, and Space Force's bid for a new spaceport by 2030, ending with the upcoming three launches.