Rocket Report: SpaceX won’t land at Johnston Atoll; new North Sea launch site

The article discusses recent developments in the space industry, particularly focusing on SpaceX's plans and a new launch site in the North Sea. SpaceX has decided not to pursue landing its rockets at the Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, a former military base, due to the complexity and cost involved. Instead, the company will continue to use its existing landing sites. Meanwhile, the article highlights Europe's efforts to establish a new launch site in the North Sea, off the coast of Norway. This site, called Andøya, aims to provide a strategic location for launching small satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, which are crucial for Earth observation and other applications. The article notes that this project is part of Europe's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the space industry and reduce its reliance on other countries for launch services. The development of the Andøya site is seen as an opportunity for Europe to take a leading role in the growing small satellite market.