Business of Space

From Japan to China to India, Rockets Are Failing in Asia

It’s been a disappointing few weeks for Asian countries hoping to provide alternatives to SpaceX.

One of space agency ISRO’s successful PSLV rockets after launch from southern India in December 2024.Photographer: R Senthilkumar/PTI/AP Photo

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By Bruce Einhorn

January 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Hello, it’s Bruce Einhorn in Princeton, New Jersey. It’s been a disappointing few weeks for Asian countries hoping to provide alternatives to Western rocket companies like SpaceX, with China, India and Japan all suffering setbacks. But first...

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