Launches & Spacecraft

Rocket issue delays NASA launch of rescue mission to save Swift space telescope

By Josh Dinner Last updated 2 July 26

Northrop Grumman has delayed the launch of its Pegasus XL rocket on a mission to save NASA's SWIFT space telescope from falling out of orbit.

Atlas V rocket launches 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites to orbit from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 2 July 26

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launched 29 more Amazon Leo internet satellites to orbit from Florida early Thursday morning (July 2).

Rocket Lab aborts launch of Japanese Earth-observing radar satellite at last second

By Mike Wall Last updated 1 July 26

Rocket Lab tried to launch its eighth mission for the Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS on Thursday (June 30), but the attempt ended in an abort.

Blue Origin starts rebuilding launch pad damaged by New Glenn rocket explosion — and it will look very different when it's done 

By Mike Wall Published 30 June 26

Blue Origin has started rebuilding the launch pad damaged by the explosion of its New Glenn rocket last month, but the company is working from a very different blueprint this time around.

'The start of a new era': Rocket Lab buying satellite-communications company Iridium for $8 billion

By Josh Dinner Published 29 June 26

California-based launch company Rocket Lab has inked a landmark $8 billion deal to acquire long-time satellite communications giant Iridium.

SpaceX launches 15,000-pound SiriusXM satellite to orbit from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 29 June 26

SpaceX launched a big SiriusXM radio satellite to orbit from Florida's Space Coast tonight (June 28).

SpaceX sends 24 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit on Falcon 9 launch from California (video)

By Robert Z. Pearlman Published 28 June 26

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Blue Origin plans to fly New Glenn rocket again this year despite massive rocket explosion (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 27 June 26

After its rocket explosion, Blue Origin wants to complete repairs and put another New Glenn on the launch pad before the end of 2026, according to CEO Dave Limp. That's very ambitious.

NASA is paying $30 million for a 1st-of-its-kind rescue mission to the aging Swift telescope before it falls from space. Is it worth it?

By Tariq Malik Last updated 26 June 26

NASA's daring Swift Boost mission launches June 27 to save the nearly 22-year-old Swift observatory , which is being dragged out of space by Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX's next Starship breathes fire for 1st time in prelaunch test (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 26 June 26

About a month has passed since the first launch of SpaceX's "Version 3" Starship rocket, and the spaceflight company has already begun testing on its next such vehicle.