Launches & Spacecraft

SpaceX fires up Starship ahead of megarocket’s 1st orbital flight (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 21 August 26

SpaceX completed a single-engine test-firing of its next Starship spacecraft to prepare for its coming test flight, which will be the first to reach orbit.

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video, photos)

By Mike Wall Published 21 August 26

SpaceX launched yet another Starlink mission today (Aug. 21), sending 29 more of the broadband satellites to orbit from Florida's Space Coast.

SpaceX will try for 1st Starship tower catch 'in a few months,' Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall Published 20 August 26

"First reflight of the ship will be either end of this year or early next. That will be a fork in the road of history for consciousness reaching the stars."

Rocket Lab launches private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 20 August 26

Rocket Lab launched its ninth mission for the Japanese company iQPS this morning (Aug. 20), sending an Earth-observation satellite into low Earth orbit.

Mysterious Russian 'space activity' causes US Air Force flight to Antarctica to turn around: report

By Brett Tingley Published 19 August 26

A mysterious incident over the South Pacific forced a U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn around on Aug. 18, due to a possible space debris hazard.

SpaceX launches its 100th mission of the year, sends Starlink satellites to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 19 August 26

SpaceX launched its 100th mission of the year early Wednesday morning (Aug. 19), sending 24 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit.

Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight (video)

By Mike Wall Published 19 August 26

The Beijing-based company LandSpace landed its Zhuque-3 rocket this evening (Aug. 18), notching a huge milestone for commercial Chinese spaceflight.

Starship lives! SpaceX craft arrives at Christmas Island after 24-day ocean ordeal

By Josh Dinner Published 18 August 26

Starship has earned its sea legs.

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 17 August 26

China's space program has returned to flight after an Aug. 10 Long March 7A rocket explosion, launching both a Long March 12 and a Long March 2C rocket on Sunday (Aug. 16).

Blue Origin adding second pad to Cape Canaveral launch complex amid rocket explosion repairs

By Josh Dinner Published 17 August 26

When life gives you lemons (exploding rocket), make lemonade (a second launch pad).