Justin Ray

Justin Ray is the former editor of the space launch and news site Spaceflight Now, where he covered a wide range of missions by NASA, the U.S. military and space agencies around the world. Justin was space reporter for Florida Today and served as a public affairs intern with Space Launch Delta 45 at what is now the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station before joining the Spaceflight Now team. In 2017, Justin joined the United Launch Alliance team, a commercial launch service provider.

Articles by: Justin Ray

Atlas Rocket Launch

Atlas and Delta Rockets Have Packed 2014 Launch Schedule

By Justin Ray published

It's one completed, 14 flights to go this year for United Launch Alliance and its fleet of Atlas and Delta rocket families.

The Mobile Service Tower (MST) is rolled back at Space Launch Complex-6 in preparation for launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-65 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

America's Largest Rocket Set for Launch Today

By Justin Ray published

Proton Launches SES-6

Russian Rocket Launches New Communications Satellite

By Justin Ray published

The new satellite will serve the Luxembourg-based SES communications network.

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket carrying the fifth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-5) satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 24, 2013.

Powerful New US Military Satellite Launches Into Orbit

By Justin Ray published

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket launched the new Wideband Global SATCOM 5 satellite into space on May 24, 2013.

United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Carrying GPS IIF-4 satellite

New GPS Satellite Launched on Atlas 5 Rocket

By Justin Ray published

The new spacecraft will aid the network of navigation satellites.

Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous (SBIRS) Missile Warning Satellite

New US Missile Defense Satellite Launching Tuesday

By Justin Ray published

The new SBIRS GEO-2 satellite is the latest addition to the U.S. military's missile defense grid.

GPS IIF-3 Satellite Encapsulated

Rocket Launch to Upgrade GPS Network This Week

By Justin Ray published

A new GPS satellite will join the constellation in Earth orbit.

A Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket launches the new Intelsat 21 TV satellite into orbit.

Sea Launch Rocket Lofts TV Satellite Into Orbit

By Justin Ray published

The Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket carried the Intelsat 21 satellite into orbit.

NROL-36 spy satellite attached to Atlas 5 rocket for launch.

US Air Force to Launch New Spy Satellite Thursday

By Justin Ray published

The classified payload is known as NROL-36.

The Second Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite

US Air Force to Launch Advanced Military Satellite Thursday

By Justin Ray published

The $1 billion Advanced Extremely High Frequency 2 satellite is vital to future military communications.

Atlas 5-541 Rocket Launching

Atlas 5 Rockets to Launch Next-Generation Weather Satellite Fleet

By Justin Ray published

The next-generation U.S. weather observatories will be deployed by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets.

Delta 4 Rocket Family Chart

Spy Satellite Launch to Mark Last 'First Flight' Milestone for Delta 4 Rocket

By Justin Ray published

The latest Delta 4 rocket configuration is brand new.

Space Launch Complex 6

New US Spy Satellite Poised for March 29 Launch

By Justin Ray published

The NROL-25 mission will be the first of four clandestine spy satellites launched by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in 2012.

Progress M-13M Spacecraft

Russian Cargo Ship Leaves Space Station Ahead of Next Vehicle

By Justin Ray published

A new Russian cargo freighter is set to launch to the International Space Station on Jan. 25.

NASA Shuttle Launch Director Michael Leinbach

NASA Space Shuttle Launch Director Joins Commercial Rocket Company

By Justin Ray published

The move is another sign of the changing landscape in the U.S. space program.

Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS-4) Satellite Ready for Launch

Air Force Ready for Big Launch from Florida Tonight

By Justin Ray published

The Jan. 19 launch is the first American rocket launch of 2012.

Advanced Extremely High Frequency 1 satellite

Fight to Save US Military Satellite Ends in Remarkable Rescue

By Justin Ray published

A U.S. military satellite successfully reached geosynchronous orbit after a remarkable rescue.

Proton Rocket Blast Off on Dec. 11, 2011

Two Satellites Ride Russian Rocket Into Orbit

By Justin Ray published

The satellites were launched on a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Curiosity Rover Mars

No Need to Tweak New Mars Rover's Course, NASA Says

By Justin Ray published

The Mars Science Laboratory is on track and there's no need to adjust its trajectory at this time.

A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket stands ready to launch NASA's Aquarius/SAC-D mission from Space Launch Complex-2.

Delta 2 Rocket Could Win New NASA Launch Assignments

By Justin Ray published

The workhorse Delta 2 rocket may see new life for up to five NASA missions.

Delta 4 rocket launches new GPS 2F-2 satellite.

New Navigation Satellite Launches on Nighttime Rocket Flight

By Justin Ray published

A Delta 4 rocket blasted off in a spectacular night launch in Florida.

A Russian Soyuz rocket blasts off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan carrying the Progress 42 cargo ship on April 27, 2011. The Progress cargo ship will deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

Russian Cargo Ship En Route to Space Station

By Justin Ray published

A Russian robot cargo ship will dock at the space station today, just hours before the launch of shuttle Endeavour.

The new NROL-34 spy satellite and rocket nose coe are mated to its Atlas 5 booster in preparation for launch from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on April 14, 2011.

New Spy Satellite Set for Primetime Launch from Calif. Tonight

By Justin Ray published

The new secret spy satellite NROL-34 will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 9:24 p.m. PDT.

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 sits poised on its launch pad with the classified NROL-27 satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office at the Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Launching Tonight: New Classified Spy Satellite for U.S. Reconnaissance

By Justin Ray published

The clandestine satellite NROL-27 will launch from Florida tonight for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The secret NROL-49 spy satellite blasts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California atop a huge Delta 4-Heavy rocket in this photo taken at 1:10 p.m. PST on Jan. 20, 2011.

Skywatchers Spot Secret U.S. Spy Satellite in Orbit

By Justin Ray published

The top-secret payload aboard a U.S. Delta 4-Heavy rocket was a replacement satellite for the nation's surveillance and security network, amateur sky-watchers say.