Launches & Spacecraft
Latest about Launches & Spacecraft
![A spacecraft seen over a red-streaked world. Jupiter, a striped and swirly looking world, is in the background, offscreen.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ecqPuDPV2CLrciVyPwrgV9-320-80.jpg)
NASA's $5 billion Europa Clipper mission may not be able to handle Jupiter's radiation
By Mike Wall published
NASA is troubleshooting a recently revealed problem with the transistors aboard its $5 billion Europa Clipper spacecraft, which is slated to launch this October.
![view from the top of a rocket in space, looking down toward its firing engines and earth in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L72bWbSHjtSradaH9UddgD-320-80.jpg)
FAA investigating SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket failure
By Mike Wall published
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is requiring an investigation into the failure suffered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during a July 11 Starlink satellite launch.
![a black metal circle holds a surface patterned with many inner circles, lined diagonally in rows. some are purple, some are black with intersecting bisecting lines, and the trim of orange foil is seen on the right of the circle's crescent.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2nbtov7L7GP89wZNSrwJu4-320-80.jpg)
Space Force launching lasers in 2025 to help pinpoint the center of Earth
By Samantha Mathewson published
The U.S. Space Force aims to better pinpoint the location of Earth’s center using lasers on GPS satellites slated to launch in 2025.
![closeup of a rocket engine in space, glowing orange, with earth in the background. near the engine is a strange buildup of white material](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eX4dECJAhHCKQvE26NqGua-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffers failure during Starlink satellite launch (video)
By Mike Wall published
The upper-stage engine of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket did not perform as planned during a July 11 launch, leading to the impending loss of 20 Starlink satellites.
![view from the top of a rocket in space, looking down at earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L72bWbSHjtSradaH9UddgD-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX launches direct-to-cell Starlink satellites from California after delay (video)
By Mike Wall last updated
SpaceX launched 20 more of its Starlink satellites, including 13 with direct-to-cell capabilities, from California tonight (July 11).
![The Super Heavy booster for the fifth flight of SpaceX's Starship megarocket rolls out to the launch pad at the Starbase site in South Texas. SpaceX posted this photo on X on July 9, 2024.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QqHhVezad2gEwxN9Fzt5NR-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rolls Starship Super Heavy booster to launch pad ahead of 5th test flight (video, photos)
By Mike Wall published
SpaceX moved its fifth Starship Super Heavy booster to the launch pad in preparation for a coming test flight, which could occur in the next few weeks.
![Green shrubbery and sliver of road form a low horizon below a sunny blue sky. In the distance left of center, a short white rocket stands adjacent to a black tower. Much taller, right of center, reaching to the top of the image, a steel tower with black-barred extension arms reaching out near its base.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DyvXuMKbgtxAEshbVMFzT7-320-80.jpg)
SpaceX rivals challenge Starship launch license in Florida over environmental, safety concerns
By Keith Cooper published
United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin have cited safety and environmental factors in challenges to SpaceX's launch license for Starship at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
![a large white rocket flies through the sky above a cone of flame](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kzgeG4sg6UUnVFmzDGFsLN-320-80.jpg)
Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket launches on long-awaited debut mission (video)
By Mike Wall published
The new Ariane 6 rocket launched for the first time ever today (July 9), opening a new chapter in European spaceflight history.
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