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Still early days — Japan is studying a reusable rocket, but it wont fly before 2030 This launcher would replace the H3 rocket, which hasn’t yet become operational.

Stephen Clark – Oct 5, 2023 12:13 am UTC Enlarge / Japan’s first H3 rocket lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center on a failed test flight in March.Photo by STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images reader comments 31 with

Japan debuted the new flagship H3 rocket in March, capping a decade-long, nearly $1.5 billion development effort to replace a launch vehicle that has been in service for more than 20 years. The H3’s upper stage failed to ignite a few minutes after liftoff, causing the rocket and its Earth observation payload to crash into the Pacific Ocean.

Officials in the Japanese government are already plotting the replacement for the H3 rocket, which had a goal of cutting in half the cost per launch of the H-2A launcher, a workhorse for Japan’s space program. But the H3 is based on a single-use, expendable design, like nearly all legacy rockets. The H3 design aims to achieve these cost savings through modernized manufacturing techniques and commonality in hardware with Japan’s smaller Epsilon rocket family.

The Japanese government updated its basic plan on space policy in June with language endorsing the development of a reusable rocket to follow the H3. Now, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has tapped Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for joint studies on the next-generation launcher, which would have a recoverable and reusable first-stage booster, Space News reported this week.

There’s no design yet for this still-unnamed rocket. A JAXA spokesperson told Space News that engineers haven’t settled on a fuel. It could be cryogenic methane, the fuel favored by most companies developing new reusable launch rockets, or Japan could stick with liquid hydrogen, the super-cold fuel used on the H-2A and H3 rockets. Advertisement

The space policy document released by Japan’s Cabinet Office in June outlined several key technologies necessary for the country’s next-generation rocket. Those included rocket reuse tech, innovative materials, methane-fueled propulsion, and modernized production capabilities. Japanese policymakers wrote the new rocket, replacing the H3, would start flying in the 2030s.

“By reusing parts … we will improve launch frequency and transportation capacity, and reduce launch costs,” Japanese government officials wrote in the policy plan.

SpaceX’s demonstration of the benefits of reusable rockets has inspired others to pursue similar capabilities. Rocket Lab, the US-New Zealand company that operates the light-class Electron launcher for small satellites, has successfully recovered boosters and recently reused an engine from a previous flight. In the coming months, Rocket Lab plans to reuse an entire set of nine booster engines on a launch. The company is developing a new rocket named Neutron with a booster stage designed from the start to be entirely reusable.

Blue Origin and several other companies also may be a few years away from reusing boosters on their orbital-class rockets. United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket is powered by Blue Origin-built BE-4 engines. ULA plans to eventually recover the engines and reuse them but doesn’t plan to retrieve the entire first stage of the Vulcan rocket.

Other rocket builders, like Europe’s ArianeGroup, went all-in with a new expendable rocket, similar to Japan’s approach with the H3. Europe’s expendable Ariane 6 rocket won’t fly until next year, at the earliest. The European Space Agency and European industrial partners are in the early stages of designing a reusable methane-fueled engine that could lead, in the longer term, to a reusable replacement for the Ariane 6. But like Japan’s new reusable rocket study, a follow-on to the Ariane 6 would likely not fly until 2030 or later. Page: 1 2 Next → reader comments 31 with Stephen Clark Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the worlds space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. Advertisement Channel Ars Technica ← Previous story Related Stories Today on Ars

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DeFi booming as $11B Bitcoin whale stirs ‘Uptober’ hopes: Finance Redefined

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October 10, 2025

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DeFi booming as B Bitcoin whale stirs ‘Uptober’ hopes: Finance Redefined

DeFi booming as B Bitcoin whale stirs ‘Uptober’ hopes: Finance Redefined

An $11 billion Bitcoin whale returned to crypto markets this week, likely seeking trading opportunities tied to October’s historic crypto rallies and uncertainty in the US.

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Environment

Hiboy launches TITAN & TITAN Pro e-scooters with up to $699 savings, Anker SOLIX F3000 station at new $1,399 low, more

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October 10, 2025

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Hiboy launches TITAN & TITAN Pro e-scooters with up to 9 savings, Anker SOLIX F3000 station at new ,399 low, more


We’re closing out this week’s Green Deals with some more major savings, headlined by Hiboy’s new TITAN Electric Scooter and TITAN Pro Electric Scooter, which are launching with up to $699 in savings starting from $1,001. Right behind them is Anker’s SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station (and bundles) that is getting its $1,399 Prime Day low extended, as well as Mammotion’s YUKA Mini 500H and 700H robot lawn mowers starting from a $649 low. We also have EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale, a handy device from Goal Zero, and many other ongoing Prime Day sales waiting for you below – with all the continuing event’s savings collected into our Post-Prime Day Green Deals hub here.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Hiboy launches new TITAN and TITAN Pro e-scooters with an up to 80-mile range, now starting from $1,001 (Up to $699 off)

As part of Hiboy’s ongoing Better Than Prime Day Sale, the brand has launched two new e-scooters that bring some serious power to commutes and joyrides, complete with bonus savings. You can now hop on Hiboy’s TITAN Electric Scooter at $1,001 shipped, after using the code HST9 at checkout for an additional 9% off, while Hiboy’s TITAN Pro Electric Scooter is down at $1,350 shipped, after using the code HSTP10 at check out for an additional 10% off. These two new models will carry full $1,700 and $2,000 price tags once the initial launch savings end, making this deal all the more enticing. While things last, you’re looking at $699 and $650 markdowns that save you some serious cash on some seriously powerful rides, while also setting the bar for future discounts down the road. You’ll find both these deals coming several hundred dollars under the TITAN and TITAN Pro Amazon pricing.

With these two new releases, Hiboy is showing folks just how fast and wild their e-scooters can get, with many often falling into the more budget-friendly realm. Things start with Hiboy’s TITAN electric scooter that arrives in futuristic industrial style, equipped with a 750W (1,000W peaking) motor and 48V 18Ah battery that provides up to 46 miles of travel at up to 25 MPH top speeds. Among its many features, you’ll find a dual suspension system, dual hydraulic brakes, 10-inch gel-filled tubeless tires, a wider-than-normal deck, zero-start capabilities and a half-twist throttle, a loud horn, dual headlights, a brake-activated taillight, ambient side lighting, a 3.5-inch LED color display, and more.

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On the other end of the series is the TITAN Pro e-scooter that brings more power and speed along for the ride. This supped-up model has been given dual 750W motors (each peaking at 1,000W) and a 48V 36Ah battery that not only ramps its possible top speeds up to 31 MPH, but also extends travel times up to 80 miles on a single charge. It brings along much of the same features as its base TITAN counterpart, with the main difference being the additional multi-function control buttons that allow you to switch between single and dual motor usage.

Hiboy’s Better Than Prime Sale will continue through October 12, giving you plenty of time to make decisions if you’re split between varying models – with prices starting from $320.

refrigerator open behind anker solix f3000 portable power station

Anker’s extended Prime Day savings offer latest SOLIX F3000 station and bundles at new lows starting from $1,399

As part of Anker’s extended SOLIX Prime Day Sale, which is continuing through the rest of the week, you can still score the brand’s latest F3000 Portable Power Station (and bundles) at their best prices starting from $1,399 shipped for the station with a FREE protective cover (valued at $99), beating out Amazon’s post-Prime pricing by $100. It carries a $2,599 MSRP since releasing back in June, which we saw drop down to this rate for the first time on Tuesday, when Prime Day officially began. It’s now continuing through the rest of the week, giving you more time to jump on the $1,200 price cut and score it at the best price we have tracked. Head below for the full lineup of ongoing bundle deals too.

If you want to learn more about this new power station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and daughter plant tree while Mammotion YUKA mini robotic lawn mower mows grass around them

Mammotion’s YUKA Mini 500H and 700H robotic lawn mowers get $350 price cuts starting from a $649 low

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Mammotion is offering continued Prime Day savings on its YUKA Mini 500H Robotic Lawn Mower at $649 shipped, as well as its YUKA Mini 700H Robotic Lawn Mower at $849 shipped. These two models usually fetch $999 and $1,199 at full price, with this being the second-ever price cut to the YUKA Mini 500H’s all-time low with $350 cut from its tag, while the YUKA Mini 700H is getting the same sized price cut to its second-lowest rate – landing $100 above the one-time low that lasted only three days in September.

If you want to learn more about these two robots, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

ecoflow 800W alternator charger connected to power station in SUV with smart controls on phone

EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale drops 800W alternator charger to new $289 low, more from $104

As part of its extended Prime Day Sale, EcoFlow is offering a 48-hour flash sale on a power station, a generator, an alternator charger, and a DELTA Pro Ultra expansion battery bundle. The backup power solution amongst the bunch is the TRAIL 200 DC station, which you can score starting from $104 by checking out yesterday’s coverage. From there, it’s a matter of what kind of support or expansion you want to jump on, with the brand’s 800W Alternator Charger sitting at a lower-than-ever $289 shipped, for example, which also matches at Amazon right now. While it carries a $599 MSRP, we more often see it priced between $348 and $499, with some sales taking things lower. It was priced at $305 for the initial Prime Day savings, but is now falling even further to mark a new all-time low price and give you $210 off the going rate. Head below for the full lineup of flash deals.

If you want to learn more about this on-the-go charging solution, as well as the other offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of these 48-hour flash deals here.

man using goal zero torch light to see under hood of car

Goal Zero’s 500 Lumen Torch Light that doubles as a solar-charging 5,200mAh power bank hits $38

Amazon is offering the Goal Zero 500 Lumen Torch Light at $37.89 shipped. Usually fetching $50 outside of discounts, this device dropped to $40 back April, with discounts since returning the costs to this same rate over the rest of the year – including for both July and this month’s Prime Day events. The savings seem to be sticking around after the event ended last night, giving you extra time to pick it up with $12 shaved from the tag at the best price of the year.

If you want to learn more about this handy solar-charging gadget, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

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anker solix early prime day power station sale

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Technology

Govini, a defense tech startup taking on Palantir, hits $100 million in annual recurring revenue

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October 10, 2025

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Govini, a defense tech startup taking on Palantir, hits 0 million in annual recurring revenue

Govini, a defense tech software startup taking on the likes of Palantir, has blown past $100 million in annual recurring revenue, the company announced Friday.

“We’re growing faster than 100% in a three-year CAGR, and I expect that next year we’ll continue to do the same,” CEO Tara Murphy Dougherty told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan in an interview. With how “big this market is, we can keep growing for a long, long time, and that’s really exciting.”

CAGR stands for compound annual growth rate, a measurement of the rate of return.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company also announced a $150 million growth investment from Bain Capital. It plans to use the money to expand its team and product offering to satisfy growing security demands.

In recent years, venture capitalists have poured more money into defense tech startups like Govini to satisfy heightened national security concerns and modernize the military as global conflict ensues.

The group, which includes unicorns like Palmer Luckey’s Anduril, Shield AI and artificial intelligence beneficiary Palantir, is taking on legacy giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, that have long leaned on contracts from the Pentagon.

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Dougherty, who previously worked at Palantir, said she hopes the company can seize a “vertical slice” of the defense technology space.

The 14-year-old Govini has already secured a string of big wins in recent years, including an over $900-million U.S. government contract and deals with the Department of War.

Govini is known for its flagship AI software Ark, which it says can help modernize the military’s defense tech supply chain by better managing product lifecycles as military needs grow more sophisticated.

“If the United States can get this acquisition system right, it can actually be a decisive advantage for us,” Dougherty said.

Looking ahead, Dougherty told CNBC that she anticipates some setbacks from the government shutdown.

Navy customers could be particularly hard hit, and that could put the U.S. at a major disadvantage.

While the U.S. is maintaining its AI dominance, China is outpacing its shipbuilding capacity and that needs to be taken “very seriously,” she added.

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