Rocket Report: Ariane 6 beats Vulcan to third launch; China’s first drone ship

This news article discusses two key developments in the space industry: 1. Ariane 6 beats Vulcan to third launch: The European Space Agency's Ariane 6 rocket has secured its third launch contract, beating out the United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. This is seen as a significant achievement for the Ariane 6 program, which is positioning itself as a competitive option in the commercial launch market. 2. China's first drone ship: China has launched its first unmanned ocean-going cargo ship, known as the Zhi Fei. This ship is designed to autonomously transport goods and materials, reducing the need for human crews. This development is part of China's efforts to advance its maritime technology and logistics capabilities. The article also touches on the limitations of China's Long March 5B rocket, which can only launch a maximum of 10 Guowang satellites at a time due to its payload capacity. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by space agencies in designing and operating powerful launch vehicles.