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

CAPSTONE in its halo-shaped lunar orbit.

Launch of NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat moon mission delayed to June 27

By Mike Wall published

The launch of NASA's CAPSTONE moon mission has been delayed at least two additional days, to no earlier than Monday (June 27).

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket launches two communications satellites from Kourou, French Guiana, on June 22, 2022.

Ariane 5 rocket launches 2 communications satellites to orbit from South America

By Mike Wall published

A European Ariane 5 rocket launched two communications satellites to orbit from South America on Wednesday evening (June 22).

Clare Rehill captured a blue spiral over New Zealand on June 19, 2022 associated with a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.

Wild blue spiral in New Zealand sky likely made by SpaceX rocket (photo)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A New Zealand resident spotted a "bizarre but very cool" blue spiral above her house following a SpaceX launch on Sunday (June 19).

South Korea's Nuri rocket launches on its first-ever successful satellite-deploying mission, on June 21, 2022.

South Korea's homegrown Nuri rocket launches satellites into orbit for 1st time

By Mike Wall published

A fully homegrown South Korean rocket has put satellites into orbit for the first time ever.

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 Hanneke Weitering 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 a communications satellite for the company Globalstar on June 19, 2022.

SpaceX launches and lands 3rd rocket in 36 hours

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX just completed a remarkable spaceflight tripleheader, launching and landing three rockets in just over 36 hours.

NASA’s Artemis 1 moon rocket — carried atop the crawler-transporter 2 vehicle — as it approaches Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA will roll SLS and Orion back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy next week to prepare the rocket and spacecraft for launch.

The top space stories of the week!

By Elizabeth Howell published

Artemis 1 rehearsal declared a success, the International Space Station dodges Russian space debris, and NASA's InSight lander favors science over energy at its mission end.

A screenshot of the radar satellite SARah-1 lifting off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster on June 18, 2022.

SpaceX launches German military satellite, lands rocket

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched a German military satellite and landed the returning rocket Saturday morning (June 18).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 46 Starlink internet satellites

SpaceX to launch 3 rockets from 3 pads in 3 days this weekend

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX aims to launch three rockets from three different launch pads in three days starting on Friday (June 17).

The CAPSTONE cubesat in its halo-shaped lunar orbit.

Launch of NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat moon mission delayed again, to June 25

By Mike Wall published

The launch of NASA's CAPSTONE moon mission has been pushed back again, this time to no earlier than June 25.

A close-up view of a robotic SpaceX Dragon capsule atop its Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 2, 2021, in preparation for the company’s 22nd Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA to the International Space Station.

SpaceX cargo launch to space station delayed 2 more weeks, to July 11

By Mike Wall published

The launch of SpaceX's next cargo mission to the Internationl Space Station has been pushed back at least two more weeks, to no earlier than July 11.

An image of Astra's LV0010 rocket launching the NASA TROPICS mission.

Astra rocket suffers major failure during launch, 2 NASA satellites lost

By Tariq Malik published

An Astra rocket carrying two small hurricane-tracking satellites for NASA failed to reach orbit Sunday (June 12) after a major malfunction.

Stage separation of the Astra LV0010 rocket with the Earth below.

Watch Astra launch 2 tiny hurricane-studying NASA satellites today

By Mike Wall published

Astra plans to launch two cubesats for NASA's TROPICS hurricane-studying mission Sunday (June 12) during a two-hour window that opens at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Nilesat 301 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 8, 2022.

SpaceX launches Egyptian communications satellite, lands rocket on ship at sea

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched a communications satellite and landed the returning rocket on a ship at sea on Wednesday (June 8).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the CRS-21 resupply mission for NASA on Dec. 7, 2020.

NASA, SpaceX now targeting June 28 for next Dragon cargo launch after delay

By Josh Dinner published

Elevated vapor measurements during propellant loading of SpaceX's Dragon cargo capsule have delayed the launch of the CRS-25 mission to no earlier than June 28.

SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon spacecraft is lifted aboard a recovery vessel after splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.

SpaceX's next cargo launch to space station delayed due to odd propellant reading

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's next cargo mission to the International Space Station won't launch this week after all.

China's Shenzhou 14 crewed mission launches atop a Long March 2F rocket on June 4, 2022.

China launches 3 astronauts to oversee construction of new Tiangong space station

By Andrew Jones published

China has sent its third crew toward the nation's new space station with the launch of the six-month-long Shenzhou 14 mission.

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-21 mission updates

By Tariq Malik, Meghan Bartels, Robert Z. Pearlman published

Blue Origin will launch 6 passengers on the NS-21 space tourism mission on June 4, 2022. Here are live updates of the launch.

Blue Origin's NS-21 flight launched on June 4, 2022.

Blue Origin launches 6 people on company's 5th space tourism flight

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin sent six people to suborbital space today (June 4), acing its fifth human spaceflight mission and notching several milestones in the process.

Still image of the Russian Progress 81 uncrewed cargo ship arriving at the International Space Station with blue Earth behind.

Russia launches new Progress 81 cargo ship to International Space Station

By Mike Wall published

Russia launched a new robotic cargo mission to the International Space Station early Friday (June 3), its first resupply mission to the orbiting lab since it invaded Ukraine.