Launches & Spacecraft

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a white rocket topped by a gumdrop-shape capsule launches

Blue Origin launches 35th New Shepard flight after long delay

By Mike Wall last updated

Blue Origin launched its 35th New Shepard suborbital mission this morning (Sept. 18) after a nearly four-week delay, flying more than 40 scientific payloads above the Kármán Line.

Launches & Spacecraft
This picture of Earth and the moon in a single frame — the first of its kind ever taken by a spacecraft — was recorded Sept. 18, 1977, by NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft at a distance of 7.25 million miles (11.7 million km) from Earth. Because Earth is many times brighter than the moon, the moon was artificially brightened by a factor of three relative to the Earth by computer enhancement so that both bodies would show clearly in the prints.

On this day in space! Sept. 18, 1977: Voyager 1 takes 1st photo of Earth-moon system

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On Sept. 18, 1977, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft took its first photo of Earth and the moon.

Launches & Spacecraft
a white rocket launches at night above a streak of fire

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites to orbit on 117th Falcon 9 flight of 2025 (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched 28 more of its Starlink internet satellites today (Sept. 18), sending them aloft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

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
SpaceX moves a Starship upper stage to the launch pad as part of preparations for the megarocket's upcoming 11th test flight. SpaceX posted this photo on X on Sept. 17, 2025.

SpaceX moves next Starship spacecraft to launch pad for testing (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX has moved its newest Starship spacecraft to the launch pad for testing ahead of the megarocket's upcoming 11th test flight.

Launches & Spacecraft
a rocket launches at night, leaving a streak of light through the sky

Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket cleared to fly again after April 29 launch failure

By Josh Dinner published

Firefly Aerospace has completed its investigation into the anomaly that caused its Alpha rocket to a plunge into the sea near Antarctica on April 29.

Launches & Spacecraft
A four-legged orbiter sits on the sand, with a dish and a cloth over its parts.

50 years ago, NASA sent 2 spacecraft to search for life on Mars – the Viking missions' findings are still discussed today

By Joel S. Levine published

Viking consisted of two twin orbiters and landers, with experimental chambers in the landers to conduct three biology experiments.

Launches & Spacecraft
a white and black rocket lifts off on a bright plume with an orange glow, set against a blue sky with wispy white clouds.

SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman's biggest-ever cargo spacecraft on its 1st mission to the ISS (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's new "Cygnus XL" cargo ship on its debut mission to the International Space Station on Sunday (Sept. 14).

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries 24 of the company's Starlink internet satellites to orbit from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sept. 13, 2025.

SpaceX launches 300th Starlink satellite-internet mission (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched 24 Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California today (Sept. 13). It was the 300th Starlink mission to date, according to the company.

Launches & Spacecraft
An artist's illustration of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket in flight.

US Air Force selects Blue Origin and Anduril for rocket cargo delivery project: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

Blue Origin and Anduril each received AFRL contracts to deliver rocket-flown cargo to any point in the world within one hour, according to a media report.

Launches & Spacecraft
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