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

four astronauts in white spacesuits giving thumbs up to camera

How to watch SpaceX launch the Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA today online

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX will send four people, including a Russian cosmonaut, into space on Wednesday (Oct. 5), and NASA has a lineup of events to follow live.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches the SES-20 and SES-21 communications satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Oct. 4, 2022.

Atlas V rocket launches 2 communications satellites to orbit

By Mike Wall published

An Atlas V rocket lifted off Tuesday evening (Oct. 4) from Florida's Space Coast, carrying two commercial communications satellites to orbit.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 46 Starlink internet satellites stands atop SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida for a launch on Feb. 21, 2022.

SpaceX delays launch of Starlink satellites to make way for Crew-5 astronaut flight

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX has delayed the liftoff of its next Starlink satellite batch in order to launch four Crew-5 astronauts for NASA on Oct. 5.

rocket lifting off amid launch towers with the sun setting on the right

New rocket science course lets you learn about spaceflight online for free

By Elizabeth Howell published

Varsity Tutors launches the course on Thursday (Oct. 7) for anybody who loves space.

television screen showing a north korean missile flying into the sky, in a store window. person walks past as a blur on the right

North Korea launches nuclear-capable missile into space over Japan: reports

By Elizabeth Howell published

The test on Tuesday (Oct. 4) marked the first time a North Korean missile overflew Japan in five years, according to media reports.

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.

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

SpaceX could launch 52 more Starlink satellites tonight (Oct. 4). Here's how to watch.

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX will launch 52 more Starlink internet satellites to orbit tonight (Oct. 4), and you can watch the liftoff live.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule that will fly the Crew-5 mission for NASA stand on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a planned Oct. 5, 2022 launch.

SpaceX still on track to launch Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA on Oct. 5

By Mike Wall published

The Crew-5 astronaut mission is on target to launch Wednesday (Oct. 5), provided SpaceX and NASA clear up three minor issues.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule that will fly the Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station stand on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida shortly after rolling out on Oct. 1, 2022.

SpaceX rolls rocket to pad ahead of Crew-5 astronaut launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule that will fly SpaceX's next astronaut mission for NASA is poised and ready on the pad.

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.

From left to right: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, NASA’s Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, and cosmonaut Anna Kikina wave on Oct. 1, 2022, after arriving at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceX’s Crew-5 mission launch.

SpaceX Crew-5 astronauts arrive at launch site for Oct. 5 liftoff

By Mike Wall published

The crewmembers of SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA made it to Kennedy Space Center in Florida Saturday (Oct. 1), a few days later than originally planned due to Hurricane Ian.

A time-lapse view of the asteroid Dimorphos getting bigger as the DART spacecraft hit it.

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia published

NASA slams into an asteroid, astronomers analyze ancient mega-supernovas and an astronaut watches Hurricane Ian from space. These are some of this week's top stories.

The upper stage of Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket captured this view from Earth orbit on Oct. 1, 2022.

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket reaches orbit for 1st time

By Mike Wall published

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket aced a test flight today (Oct. 1), successfully delivering satellites to Earth orbit for the first time.

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.

hurricane ian from space as category 1 storm with white clouds off South Carolina coast

Hurricane Ian regains strength, heads toward South Carolina as NASA's Florida spaceport recovers

By Tariq Malik published

Hurricane Ian regained strength as it barreled toward South Carolina on Friday (Sept. 30) after passing over NASA's Kennedy Space center spaceport in Florida a day earlier.

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket lights its first-stage engines during an orbital launch attempt on Sept. 30, 2022. The engines shut down almost immediately, and the rocket stayed groundbound.

Firefly Aerospace aborts orbital test flight just after engine ignition

By Mike Wall published

Firefly planned to send its Alpha rocket to orbit on a test flight early Friday morning (Sept. 30), and it ticked off a lot of boxes along the way — including engine ignition.

The official crew portrait for SpaceX's Crew-5 mission. From left are Anna Kikina, mission specialist; Josh Cassada, pilot; Nicole Mann, spacecraft commander; and Koichi Wakata, mission specialist.

Hurricane Ian delays SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut launch again, to Oct. 5

By Mike Wall published

Hurricane Ian has pushed SpaceX's next astronaut launch for NASA back by at least another day.

black rocket in hanger-like building

European spaceflight companies are racing to be the first to reach orbit

By Andrew Jones published

A number of emerging European commercial rocket companies are vying to reach orbit first, with debut launches expected in the second half of 2023.

nicole mann astronaut stretching out hands at the entrance of a spacecraft

SpaceX's Crew-5 mission will carry Native American woman to orbit for 1st time

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA astronaut Nicole Mann will head to the space station aboard SpaceX's Crew-5 mission for NASA, which is slated to lift off on Oct. 4.

The Dragon capsule Endurance, which will fly SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA, arrives at the hangar at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A in Florida on Sept. 23, 2022. Endurance arrived at the launch complex after making the short journey from its nearby processing facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Hurricane Ian delays SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut launch to Oct. 4

By Mike Wall published

Hurricane Ian has pushed the launch of SpaceX's next astronaut mission for NASA back by at least a day.