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

A view of Earth as seen from the Artemis 1 Orion capsule more than 9 hours into flight on Nov. 16, 2022.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates

By Tariq Malik, Elizabeth Howell published

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

launch screenshot of rocket launching

SpaceX Dragon launches science, solar arrays to International Space Station

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft launched science and solar arrays to the International Space Station on Saturday.

An Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifting off

Indian rocket launches EOS-06 ocean-studying satellite and 8 tiny craft into orbit

By Mike Wall last updated

An Indian rocket launched an ocean-observing satellite and eight tiny ride-along spacecraft early Saturday (Nov. 26).

close-up of spacecraft with spindly legs on the surface of the moon with the black of space in behind

SpaceX to launch Japanese moon lander, UAE rover on Nov. 30

By Elizabeth Howell published

Tokyo-based ispace aims to pull off the first-ever soft landing on the moon by a private company — and its Hakuto-R lander will deploy a UAE rover, if all goes to plan.

An artist's depiction of the twin Janus spacecraft.

NASA asteroid smallsats stranded by Psyche delay

By Andrew Jones published

NASA has removed the twin Janus smallsats from the Psyche asteroid mission after launch delays meant Janus would not be able to meet its science goals.

Europe's new Vega C rocket lifts off for its debut flight from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on July 13, 2022.

Europe's Vega C rocket launch delayed to December (update)

By Mike Wall published

Europe's Vega C rocket is scheduled to launch its second-ever mission on Thursday night (Nov. 24), and you can watch the action live.

plumes of orange smoke underneath a rocket lifting off into space, with black of night in behind

Huge Artemis 1 moon rocket blew the doors off NASA's launch tower elevators (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA is assessing the damage Artemis 1 left behind after the huge Space Launch System rocket lifted off on Nov. 16, but officials emphasize everything is manageable for future missions.

A view of the first RS1 rocket by ABL Space Systems on its pad on Kodiak Island, Alaska on during a Nov. 17, 2022 launch attempt.

Rocket startup ABL Space Systems aborts 3rd launch attempt in a week

By Tariq Malik published

ABL Space Systems, a small satellite launching startup aiming to make its rocket debut, aborted its third launch attempt in less than a week on Monday (Nov. 21).

ABL Space System's RS1 rocket at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Nov. 17, 2022. The rocket was soon raised to vertical for a launch attempt, which was aborted during engine ignition.

ABL Space Systems' RS1 rocket aiming to launch today (Nov. 21)

By Elizabeth Howell published

ABL Space Systems' RS1 rocket is possibly targeting a launch Monday (Nov. 21) following an abort last week during engine ignition. The rocket was otherwise healthy.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Eutelsat 10B communications satellite on Nov. 22, 2022.

SpaceX launches Eutelsat 10B communications satellite (video)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

SpaceX launched the Eutelsat 10B communications satellite to space Tuesday (Nov. 22) to serve air and sea traffic.

SpaceX's CRS-26 cargo mission to the International Space Station is scheduled to launch on Nov. 22, 2022.

SpaceX's next NASA cargo launch to space station delayed to Nov. 22

By Jeff Spry published

SpaceX's next cargo launch to the International Space Station (ISS) has been pushed back a day, to Tuesday (Nov. 22).

Spaceport Cornwall is looking forward to welcome Virgin Orbit next year.

Virgin Orbit ready for historic UK launch after spaceport secures license

By Tereza Pultarova published

A U.K. spaceport that will host the first-ever Virgin Orbit launch from non-American soil has received a license from the U.K. national regulator.

ABL Space System's RS1 rocket at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Nov. 17, 2022. The rocket was soon raised to vertical for a launch attempt, which was aborted during engine ignition.

ABL Space Systems' RS1 rocket aborts 1st-ever launch try

By Mike Wall published

ABL Space Systems' RS1 rocket aborted its first-ever launch attempt today (Nov. 17) during engine ignition. The vehicle is healthy, company representatives said.

rocket blasts off atop a white plume with blue sky behind

China launches mysterious Earth observation satellites

By Elizabeth Howell published

China launched its 53rd rocket of 2022 on Wednesday (Nov. 16), bringing it three launches shy of tying the record 56 liftoffs the country set last year.

streak of a rocket lifting off into space in the black night

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission will carry science across the solar system

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's chief scientist said the Artemis 1 launch of Wednesday (Nov. 16) will swiftly change science across the solar system, with studies in radiation and sustainability also helping Earthlings.

vice-president kamala harris beside an orion spacecraft and surrounded by a few people, including two astronauts

President Biden, VP Harris hail NASA Artemis 1 moon rocket launch and its 'limitless possibilities'

By Elizabeth Howell published

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also chair of the National Space Council, wished NASA and its partners well as Artemis 1 flies towards the moon.

ABL Space System's RS1 rocket on the launch pad at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Nov. 14, 2022. A planned liftoff that day was scrubbed due to a leaky valve in the rocket’s pressurization system.

ABL Space Systems now targeting Thursday for 1st-ever launch after glitch

By Mike Wall published

ABL Space Systems will attempt to reach orbit for the first time with its RS1 rocket on Thursday (Nov. 17). The three-hour launch window opens at 5 p.m. EST.

streaking image of a rocket caught across a background map of moving clouds

Epic Artemis 1 moon rocket launch spotted streaking through Earth's atmosphere in satellite image

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Artemis 1 launch to the moon streaks to space in a view from a weather satellite, which spotted the Space Launch System's water trail after liftoff Wednesday (Nov. 16).

A view of Earth from the moon-bound Orion capsule.

See the 1st space views from moon-bound Artemis 1 Orion capsule (photos)

By Tereza Pultarova published

The Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft is on its way to the moon and already sharing photos from its historic trip that will pave the way for humankind's return to Earth's natural satellite.

rocket launch with bright orange engine flames as it soars into the dark sky.

Artemis 1 launch photos: Amazing views of NASA's moon rocket debut (gallery)

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

See the incredible launch photos of NASA's Artemis 1 mission, the agency's first big step to returning astronauts to the lunar surface.