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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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A Rocket Lab Electron booster on the launch pad in New Zealand ahead of the planned June 27 launch of the "Make It Rain" mission.

Rocket Lab Launching 7 Satellites Early Thursday Morning: Watch Live

By Mike Wall

Spaceflight startup Rocket Lab will launch seven small satellites to orbit early tomorrow morning (June 27), and you can watch the action live.

Liftoff of a Long March 3B from Xichang at 2:09 p.m. Eastern June 24, 2019.

China Launches Latest Beidou Satellite for Global Navigation System

By Andrew Jones

A Long March 3B lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 2:09 p.m. Eastern Monday, sending a Beidou satellite toward an inclined geosynchronous orbit.

The new "green" propellant being tested on a cubesat is actually salmon-colored.

NASA's New Salmon-Colored 'Green' Fuel Is a Much Safer Propellant

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's next Falcon Heavy launch will carry a satellite designed to test a new type of rocket fuel, the first ever "green" propellant in space. Only it's not so green.

A Long March 5 rocket lifts off from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center July 2. The launch was later declared a failure.

China's Moon, Mars and Space Station Missions May be Facing Delays

By Andrew Jones

SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy rocket on the launchpad before its February 2018 flight.

SpaceX Eyes New Feats With Falcon Heavy Launch Tonight

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's megarocket, the Falcon Heavy, is poised for flight. Perched atop NASA's historic Pad 39A, the behemoth will lift off sometime during a 4-hour window that opens late tonight (June 24).

Wargo Crater, an impact crater on the northwest edge of Joule T crater on the side of the Moon is named for NASA's former chief exploration scientist Michael Wargo. Wargo made many contributions to exploration science in his 20-year career with NASA.

Space Photos: The Most Amazing Images This Week!

By Doris Elin Salazar

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

Ariane 5 Rocket Lofts 2 Satellites into Orbit in Gorgeous Sunset Launch

By Passant Rabie

An Ariane 5 rocket successfully launched two new communications satellites into orbit Thursday (June 20) after a gorgeous sunset liftoff from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

In Photos: Ariane 5 Rocket Launches DirecTV 16 and Eutelsat 7C Satellites

By Hanneke Weitering

An Ariane 5 rocket successfully launched two new communications satellites, DirecTV 16 and Eutelsat 7C, into orbit on June 20, 2019. See photos of the mission here!

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket made its first commercial launch on April 11, 2019.

SpaceX Test-Fires Falcon Heavy Megarocket for Its 1st Night Launch

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX is gearing up for the next flight of the company's megarocket, the Falcon Heavy.

The Ariane 5 rocket designated VA248 is transferred to the launch pad at Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of its planned launch of the T-16 and Eutelsat 7C communications satellites.

Ariane 5 Rocket Launching 2 Satellites Today: Watch It Live!

By Hanneke Weitering

The European rocket launch service Arianespace will launch two new communications satellites for Europe today (June 20), and you can watch the liftoff live online.

The space startup SpinLaunch has secured its first launch contract, a prototype flight for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Secretive Startup SpinLaunch Gets 1st Launch Contract for US Military

By Tariq Malik

The secretive startup SpinLaunch, which aims to fling satellites into space without a traditional launch pad, has just secured its first launch contract.

This still image from a U.S. Air Force video shows SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket as it breaks through fog to launch the Canadian Radarsat Constellation Mission, which included three satellites, from Space Launch Complex 4E at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base on June 12, 2019.

Out of the Fog: Amazing SpaceX Launch Photos of Canada's Radarsat Constellation

By Tariq Malik

On June 12, 2019, a used SpaceX rocket launched three satellites for Canada's Radarsat Constellation Mission to study Earth from space. See the photos here!

ESA's rideshare rockets

Meet Ariane 6 and Vega C: Europe's New 'Rideshare' Rockets (Videos)

By Elizabeth Howell

Europe is taking advantage of the small-satellite trend by building two rockets that act as a rideshare, taking several spacecraft up at the same time.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket emerges from thick fog as it launches three Radarsat satellites for Canada from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on June 12, 2019.

Used SpaceX Rocket Launches 3 Radarsat Satellites, Aces Foggy Landing

By Amy Lynn Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched its seventh space mission of the year today (June 12), delivering a trio of Earth-observing satellites into orbit.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying three Radarsat satellites for the Canadian Space Agency stands atop its launchpad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California ahead of a June 12, 2019 launch.

A Used SpaceX Rocket Will Launch 3 Satellites Today! Watch It Live

By Mike Wall

SpaceX will launch three next-generation Earth-observing satellites for the Canadian Space Agency Wednesday (June 12), and you can watch the liftoff live.

China's Long March 11 rocket lifts off from a mobile launch platform in the Yellow Sea on June 5, 2019.

China Gains New Flexible Launch Capabilities With First Sea Launch

By Andrew Jones

China successfully launched a Long March 11 solid rocket from a sea launch platform Wednesday, bringing its burgeoning space program new, flexible launch capabilities.

China's Long March 11 rocket lifts off from a mobile launch platform in the Yellow Sea on June 5, 2019.

China Aces Its 1st Rocket Launch at Sea, Puts 7 Satellites in Orbit (Video)

By Hanneke Weitering

Watch the rocket soar above the Yellow Sea!

A dazzling view of the nine Merlin engines of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching a Dragon cargo ship into orbit for NASA's CRS-17 cargo mission to the International Space Station on May 2019.

SpaceX's Amazing Dragon CRS-17 NASA Cargo Launch (and Landing!) in Photos

By SPACE.com Staff

On May, 4, 2019, SpaceX launched a Dragon spacecraft filled with supplies to the International Space Station for NASA. See amazing photos of the flight here!

Stratolaunch's rocket carrier plane, the largest aircraft ever built, takes off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California during its first test flight on April 13, 2019.

Stratolaunch, Builder of World's Largest Airplane for Rocket Launches, May Be Closing: Report

By Mike Wall

The world's largest airplane may be grounded after just one flight.

The first stage of Northrop Grumman's OmegA rocket fires for the first time during a full-scale ground test in Utah on May 30, 2019.

Northrop Grumman Investigates Anomaly from 1st OmegA Rocket Motor Test

By Mike Wall

A powerful new rocket showed its stuff today (May 30) during a dramatic ground test that didn't go exactly as planned.