Launches & Spacecraft

Another reusable rocket? Japan launches, lands RV-X prototype (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 18 July 26

Japan has succeeded in the first-ever flight test of its RV-X experimental reusable rocket prototype.

'The dawn of a new space era': Vikram-1, India's 1st private orbital rocket, aces debut launch

By Mike Wall Last updated 18 July 26

Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket aced its debut mission on Saturday morning (July 18), making India the third nation with a private orbital launch capability.

Astronauts just launched on a Soyuz rocket with an energy-drink ad on it, continuing a Russian tradition

By Elizabeth Howell Published 17 July 26

This week's ISS astronaut launch used a Soyuz rocket emblazoned with an ad for an energy drink. It's not the first time Russia has put an ad in space — and more may be coming.

SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 test launch aborts at last second (video)

By Mike Wall Published 16 July 26

SpaceX aborted Flight 13 of its giant Starship rocket at the last second on Thursday (July 16). The company is now targeting July 23 for the liftoff.

SpaceX launches 21 'data transport' satellites for US military (video, photos)

By Mike Wall Last updated 16 July 26

SpaceX launched 21 more satellites for the U.S. military's advanced new "Tranche 1 Transport Layer" constellation from California's scenic central coast today (July 16).

SpaceX stacks massive Starship rocket ahead of July 23's Flight 13 test launch (video)

By Josh Dinner Published 16 July 26

SpaceX has stacked the two stages of its giant Starship rocket ahead of the Flight 13 test launch, which is scheduled to occur on Thursday evening (July 23).

SpaceX launches flight-proven rocket for 600th time, sending Starlink satellites to orbit (video)

By Robert Z. Pearlman Published 14 July 26

SpaceX launched Starlink satellites on a pair of Falcon 9 rockets eight hours apart from opposite coasts on July 13-14, 2026. The second launch was the 600th use of a flight-proven booster.

Russia launches NASA astronaut Anil Menon and 2 cosmonauts to the International Space Station (video)

By Mike Wall Last updated 14 July 26

NASA astronaut Anil Menon and two cosmonauts launched toward the International Space Station atop a Russian rocket at 10:47 a.m. EDT on Tuesday (July 14), and docked just three hours later.

SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13, reveals what went wrong on previous launch

By Josh Dinner Published 13 July 26

Expect to see some big steps forward if this launch is successful.

Getting Vikram-1 to orbit: Inside Skyroot Aerospace's coming bid to make spaceflight history

By Sharmila Kuthunur Published 13 July 26

Backed by a $1.1 billion valuation, Skyroot Aerospace is betting that its Vikram-1 rocket can help transform India's commercial launch industry. And Vikram-1 is set to fly soon.