Military Space - Spacecraft, Weapons and Tech

A Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully launched two U.S. spy satellites on Feb. 12 despite suffering an anomaly with one of its solid rocket boosters, echoing the result of an October 2024 mission.

Liftoff of the USSF-87 mission occurred at 4:22 a.m. ET on Thursday (Feb. 12).

The "hungry hippo" fairing for Rocket Lab's new Neutron launch vehicle has arrived for integration at the company's Virginia Spaceport facilities.

"This contract reflects both the value of affordable servicing missions and the technical readiness of the Otter."

Rocket Lab launched its 21st and final mission of the year over the weekend, sending a private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit.

On Thursday (Dec. 18), President Donald Trump issued an executive order designed to ensure American space superiority. It calls for the initial construction of a moon base by 2030, among other goals.

Rocket Lab launched four "DiskSats" for the U.S. Space Force just after midnight on Thursday (Dec. 18), adding to the company's busy 2025.

The U.S. Space Force unveiled the new naming scheme that it will use for its spacecraft and space-based weaponry, drawing inspiration from mythology and the natural world.

Rocket Lab recently completed final qualification tests on the fairing that will crown its partially reusable Neutron, expected to fly for the first time early next year.

Rocket Lab launched its HASTE suborbital vehicle for the sixth time ever on Tuesday (Nov. 18), sending several test payloads up for the U.S. military.