Launches & Spacecraft

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Laika, the first Soviet space dog to enter Earth orbit, is seen in a training capsule prior to her launch.

On this day in space! Nov. 3, 1957: Laika the dog launches with Sputnik 2

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Nov. 3, 1957, a Soviet space dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth

Launches & Spacecraft
a large white rocket lifts off from its launch pad on a bright yellow plume from its engines.

India launches a huge military communications satellite to orbit using its most powerful rocket (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

India launched the powerful CMS-03 military communications satellite to orbit on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission from Florida on Nov. 2, 2025.

SpaceX launches private space station pathfinder 'Haven Demo,' 17 other satellites to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched its 140th Falcon 9 mission of the year today (Nov. 2), sending the "Haven Demo" tech demonstrator and 17 other payloads up on the Bandwagon-4 rideshare mission.

Launches & Spacecraft
A tall white rocket spits smoke from below as its engines fire.

Blue Origin fires up powerful New Glenn rocket ahead of NASA Mars mission launch (video)

By Josh Dinner published

Blue Origin's powerful New Glenn rocket has successfully completed a static fire test ahead of launching NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars.

Launches & Spacecraft
A rocket engine flame is seen peaking through some fog, but only barely.

SpaceX launches 100th Starlink mission of 2025 (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched its 100th Starlink mission of the year on Friday (Oct. 31), from a foggy Vandenberg Space Force Base, in California.

Launches & Spacecraft
Screenshots showing a rocket blasting off from a launch pad

China launches Shenzhou 21 astronauts to Tiangong space station for a 6-month stay (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Shenzhou 21, China's latest astronaut mission, made it to the Tiangong space station after a Friday (Oct. 31) launch from the Gobi Desert.

Launches & Spacecraft
a triple-core rocket blasts off under a sunny, partly cloudy blue sky. smoke expands below next to an obscured launch tower, near a long white hanger with SPACEX written on the side. To the left, a bird flies away.

Rocket launch today: Is there a rocket launch and what time?

By Josh Dinner, Tariq Malik last updated

Follow Space.com's rocket launch blog for the latest on when the next rocket launch will be and how to follow it live.

Launches & Spacecraft
The Shenzhou 20 crew launch at 5:17 a.m. EDT on Thurs (April 24)

Watch China launch 3 astronauts toward its Tiangong space station today

By Mike Wall published

China will launch three astronauts toward its Tiangong space station today (Oct. 31), and you can watch the action live.

Launches & Spacecraft
Illustration of AKATSUKI by Akihiro Ikeshita.

Venus loses its last active spacecraft, as Japan declares Akatsuki orbiter dead

By Elizabeth Howell published

Japan declared its Akatsuki spacecraft dead on Tuesday (Oct. 28), more than a year after the Venus climate probe failed to respond to calls from mission control.

Launches & Spacecraft
A white and black rocket lifts off against a blue sky.

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched 29 more of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit today (Oct. 29), sending them up from Florida's Space Coast.

Launches & Spacecraft
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