Falcon 9 ushered in the modern space economy – retiring it could leave the industry vulnerable

By Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Research Associate Professor, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, The Conversation · October 28, 2026

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket has allowed NASA, private companies, universities and nonprofits alike to launch satellites, spacecraft and even astronauts to orbit.

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Some states are stepping up after federal childcare cuts – and now offer lessons for the future

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