Rocket Launches

Rocket launches used to be the realm of national governments, but with the rise of private spaceflight companies more rockets are launching into space than ever before. While most rockets launch satellites into orbit, some like Russia's Soyuz, carry astronauts on missions into space. SpaceX's Dragon and Boeing's CST-100 Starliner will fly Americans into orbit, while Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin will launch space tourists on short suborbital trips. SpaceX and Blue Origin even land their rockets after launch for later reuse. See news, photos and videos of the latest rocket launches from around the world here. 

Related Topics: Falcon Heavy, SpaceX, NASA Space Launch System, Space Tourism, International Space Station

Latest Updates

giant space launch system rocket on launch pad at sunset

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates

By Tariq Malik published

See the latest news about NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission here.

There's a lot going in space this year. Check out our up-to-date space launch schedule and calendar here!

Space calendar 2022: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more!

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference Here's a guide to all the rocket launches and astronomical events in 2022, as well as milestones for space missions, anniversaries and conferences.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 52 Starlink internet satellites from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sept. 24, 2022.

SpaceX launches another 52 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea

By Mike Wall published

A Falcon 9 rocket launched 52 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites to orbit Saturday evening (Sept. 24) and also aced a landing at sea.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket launches the NROL-91 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office on Sept. 24, 2022.

Powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket launches US spy satellite on final flight from California

By Mike Wall published

The Delta IV Heavy lofted a satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Vandenberg Space Force Base today (Sept. 24), the vehicle's last-ever liftoff from California.

The Artemis 1 moon rocket on the pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 21, 2022, the day it underwent a crucial fueling test.

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

NASA stormy delay of the Artemis 1 moon mission, the Milky Way's hotspot and InSight lives on Mars!

Delta IV Heavy rocket in hangar ahead of launch

Watch a huge Delta IV Heavy rocket launch a US spy satellite on its final West Coast flight live today

By Mike Wall published

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch a U.S. spy satellite on Saturday (Sept. 24), and you can watch it live. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:53 p.m. EDT (2153 GMT).

SpaceX Crew-5 astronauts wearing white and gray spacesuits

SpaceX astronaut missions for NASA: Crew-5 live updates

By Space.com Staff published

Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station for NASA.

Photo of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launching the NS-20 space tourist mission in March 2022.

Blue Origin space tourist launches: Live NS-22 mission updates

By Elizabeth Howell published

Blue Origin's will launch 6 passengers on space tourist mission NS-22, with launch date to come. Here are live updates of the launch.

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti posted on Twitter this photo of the Soyuz astronaut launch on Sept. 21, 2022, taken from the International Space Station.

Soyuz rocket launch spotted from space station in amazing astronaut photos

By Mike Wall published

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station saw a Russian Soyuz rocket launch their newest set of crewmates into orbit today (Sept. 21).

rocket lifting off with cloudy sky behind

China launches Yunhai-1 03 Earth-observing satellite into orbit

By Elizabeth Howell published

China launched the Yunhai-1 03 Earth-observing satellite from the Gobi Desert on Tuesday (Sept. 20). The spacecraft's predecessor was hit by a piece of space junk.

soyuz rocket launching with blue sky in behind and flames below rocket

Watch Russian Soyuz rocket launch 3 astronauts to space station today

By Elizabeth Howell published

A NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts will launch to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft today (Sept. 21). Watch live starting at 9 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).

Blue Origin New Shepard capsule rockets away from booster in abort

Congress wants transparency on Blue Origin launch failure investigation by FAA

By Tariq Malik published

The failure of a Blue Origin rocket during an uncrewed launch this month has members of Congress urging for more transparency of an FAA investigation into the accident.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 54 Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Sept. 18, 2022.

SpaceX launches 54 Starlink satellites to orbit after 5 weather delays

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX launched 54 Starlink satellites to orbit Sunday night (Sept. 18) after five straight scrubs due to bad weather.

ABL Space System's RS1 rocket on the pad at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Aug. 13, 2022.

Smallsat launcher ABL Space Systems gearing up for its 1st-ever liftoff

By Josh Dinner published

ABL completed a key fueling test with its RS1 rocket on the pad at Pacific Spaceport Complex on Alaska's Kodiak Island this week and is working to finalize the window for its debut launch.

rocket lab electron rocket launches strix-1 near ocean

Rocket Lab launches radar satellite to orbit on 30th Electron mission

By Elizabeth Howell published

Rocket Lab launched its 30th Electron mission Thursday (Sept. 15), successfully delivering a commercial radar satellite to Earth orbit.

satellite in orbit around earth

SpaceX missile-tracking satellite launch delayed at least three months

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Sept. 28 SpaceX launch on behalf of the Space Development Agency slipped due to supply chain problems, with bid issues and software development also contributing.

A Long March 7A rocket carrying the Zhongxing-1E satellite launches from China's Wenchang Space Launch Site on Sept. 13, 2022.

China launches military communications satellite to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall published

A Long March 7A rocket carrying the Zhongxing-1E satellite lifted off Tuesday morning (Sept. 13) from the Wenchang Space Launch Site, on the island of Hainan.

Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle suffered an anomaly during an uncrewed launch on Sept. 12, 2022. This screengrab shows New Shepard just before the vehicle's capsule successfully engaged its emergency escape system.

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket grounded as FAA investigates launch failure

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin is working to understand what caused Monday's accident, and the FAA is overseeing the investigation.

Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle suffered an anomaly during an uncrewed mission on Sept. 12, 2022. This screengrab shows New Shepard just before the vehicle's capsule successfully engaged its emergency escape system.

Failure of Blue Origin's New Shepard a reminder that spaceflight is still hard

By Mike Wall published

In-flight failures are always startling, given the dramatic visuals that accompany them. But the possibility of failure should always be in the back of our minds.

blue origin rocket in middle of a fireball during launch

Blue Origin's New Shepard suffers anomaly during launch, capsule lands safely

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin suffered an anomaly during an uncrewed space mission Monday (Sept. 12) but recovered its New Shepard capsule successfully.