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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

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Bryce Space and Technology estimates the largest single deal last year was $750 million invested in Blue Origin by its founder, billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Space Investment Hits Record High in 2018

By Jeff Foust

Investment into space companies hit a record high in 2018, exceeding $3 billion with no sign of an imminent downturn, according to a new report by a consulting firm.

This visibility map highlights the regions where it will be easiest to see the NG-11 launch from Wallops Island in Virginia starting at 4:46 p.m. EDT (0846 GMT).

A Rocket Launch to the Space Station Today Could Be Visible Along US East Coast!

By Chelsea Gohd

Today, Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Check for it in the afternoon sky.

Green auroras glow above Earth's city lights in this photo taken from the International Space Station. One of the Expedition 59 astronauts captured this view from 256 miles (412 kilometers) above the Earth, while the space station was passing over Russia and Kazakhstan on March 19.

The Most Amazing Space Photos This Week!

By Doris Elin Salazar

Here are our picks for the most amazing space photos of the week.

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In Photos: The Amazing Triple Rocket Landing of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Launch of Arabsat-6A

By Meghan Bartels

See photos of SpaceX's historic second Falcon Heavy rocket launch on April 11, 2019.

An artist's rendering of Northrop Grumman's OmegA rocket, which is scheduled to make its first test launch in 2021.

3 New Rockets Are on Track for 1st Test Flights in 2021

By Hanneke Weitering

Three new commercial rockets are on track to make their first test flights in 2021.

People watch as the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 2019 in Titusville, Florida. The rocket is carrying a communications satellite built by Lockheed Martin into orbit.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy Sticks Triple Rocket Landing with 1st Commercial Launch

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy successfully launched its first operational mission today (April 10), more than a year after its demo mission catapulted a red Tesla and a dummy nicknamed Starman into space.

Rocket Lab's Photon satellite platform, which is an evolution of the "kick stage" for the company's Electron rocket.

Space Launch Startup Rocket Lab Is Building Satellites Now, Too

By Mike Wall

Rocket Lab just unveiled an in-house satellite platform called Photon.

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket launches from French Guiana on April 4, 2019, carrying four communications satellites to orbit.

Four New Satellites Ride Into Space To Join Growing SES Constellation

By Elizabeth Howell

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket deployed four satellites into space today (April 4) after a successful launch from French Guiana.

A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the Progress 72 (72P) cargo ship stands ready to launch 3 tons of supplies from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan to the International Space Station on April 4, 2019.

There Are 2 Rocket Launches, a Moon Arrival and Asteroid Crash Today! Here's How to Watch

By Tariq Malik

There are two rocket launches, a spacecraft docking, a lunar orbit arrival and an asteroid crash scheduled on Thursday (April 4). Here's how to watch live.

A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying the uncrewed Progress 72 cargo ship launches toward the International Space Station on April 4, 2019 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Russian Cargo Ship Launches on Superfast Trip to Space Station

By Tariq Malik

A new Russian Progress cargo ship chased the International Space Station on a superfast mission today (April 4) after a flawless liftoff atop its Soyuz rocket

Rocket Lab's Electron booster will launch three experimental military satellites this month from New Zealand.

Rocket Lab to Launch 3 Satellites for US Air Force This Month

By Mike Wall

The liftoff will follow closely on the heels of a mission Rocket Lab recently flew for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

An Indian Space Research Center Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle launches the EMISAT satellite and 28 other payloads into orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Center on April 1, 2019 (IST).

India Follows Anti-Satellite Missile Test with 29-Satellite Launch

By Elizabeth Howell

India launched 29 satellites into orbit on April 1, 2019 on the heels of a military anti-satellite missile test.

The OS-M1 rocket assembled in Xi’an, north China.

Chinese Private Firm OneSpace Fails with First Orbital Launch Attempt

By Andrew Jones

OneSpace of China failed to become the first private launch firm to place a satellite in orbit after the loss of its OS-M1 solid launch vehicle Wednesday.

A fueled Rocket Lab Electron booster carrying the R3D2 antenna technology demonstration satellite for DARPA stands atop its Mahia Peninsula launch site in New Zealand during a launch attempt on March 24, 2019 EDT (March 25 New Zealand time).

Rocket Lab Scrubs Launch of Experimental DARPA Military Satellite

By Tariq Malik

The small-satellite launch company Rocket Lab called off the planned flight of an experimental satellite for the U.S. military Sunday (March 24) due to a video transmitter issue.

The DARPA R3D2 prototype antenna satellite is attached to its Rocket Lab Electron booster for a March 2019 launch.

Rocket Lab to Launch R3D2 Prototype for DARPA! Here's How to Watch.

By Tariq Malik

Rocket Lab is counting down to its first flight of 2019, an experimental satellite for the U.S. military, and you can watch it live online today (March 24).

An Arianespace Vega rocket carrying the PRISMA Earth-observation satellite lifts off from Kourou, French Guiana, on March 21, 2019.

Vega Rocket Launches Earth-Watching PRISMA Satellite for Italy

By Elizabeth Howell

A European Vega rocket launched the Italian Earth-observation satellite PRISMA into orbit late Thursday (March 21).

Encapsulated in its protective payload fairing, Italy’s PRISMA satellite is positioned atop its Vega rocket.

Watch a Vega Rocket Launch an Italian Earth-Observing Satellite!

By Mike Wall

Italy's PRISMA Earth-observation satellite will take to the skies tonight (March 21), and you can watch the action live.

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launches the ChinaSat 6C communications satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on March 10, 2019. It was China's 300th successful Long March rocket launch.

China Launched Its 300th Long March Rocket This Month

By Tariq Malik

China launched its 300th Long March rocket mission March 10 with the communications satellite ChinaSat 6C.

Rocket Lab's next Electron launch, which was scheduled for late February, has been pushed back to the second half of March because of the delayed arrival of its payload, a DARPA experimental satellite.

Rocket Lab Launch of DARPA Satellite Slips

By Jeff Foust

Rocket Lab's first launch of the year has been pushed back to the second half of March because of the delayed arrival of its payload, an experimental military satellite.

Exos Aerospace's SARGE reusable sounding rocket lifts off on its second flight March 2 from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Exos Aerospace Reflies Suborbital Rocket

By Jeff Foust

Exos Aerospace flew its SARGE reusable sounding rocket for the second time March 2, but winds kept the rocket from achieving its planned altitude.