Nayuta Space Is Building Bellyflopping Rocket Boosters

8 hours ago

Nayuta Space has completed Pre-A1 to Pre-A3 funding rounds to support development of the partially reusable Black Bird-R launch vehicle.
The company will use funds for static fire tests of the second-stage engine, wind tunnel tests, and first-stage 'bellyflop' landing profile tests.
First-stage recovery involves unpowered descent controlled by four aerodynamic surfaces, followed by a main landing burn and 'bellyflop' touchdown.
A pathfinder for Black Bird-R has been equipped with movable aerodynamic control surfaces for pitch, yaw, roll, and refined control tests.
Nayuta Space has signed a cooperation agreement for electrical systems and placed a significant order for cabling.
Production of Black Bird-R began in October 2025, with segments, propellant tanks, and structures already revealed.
Black Bird-R is planned to be 70 meters tall, use methane/oxygen propulsion, and feature a reusable first-stage with thirteen engines.
The first flight date is not mentioned, but enabling tests are expected to be completed in 2026.

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