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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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Russia's Skybot F-850: "Not a Terminator" but a space robot, and will launch to the International Space Station on a Soyuz space capsule in August 2019.

Meet Skybot F-850, the Humanoid Robot Russia Is Launching into Space

By Tom Metcalfe

When a Russian Soyuz spacecraft launches from Kazakhstan for the International Space Station Wednesday, it will carry a humanoid robot called Skybo F-850.

China's private Smart Dragon-1 rocket launches its first orbital mission on Aug. 17, 2019.

China's Private 'Smart Dragon-1' Rocket Aces 1st Mission

By Mike Wall

Development of the smallsat launcher took less than 18 months.

A Long March 3B rocket carrying the Chinasat-18 communications satellite lifts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's Sichuan province on Aug. 19, 2019.

China Just Launched a Communications Satellite. Is It in Trouble?

By Hanneke Weitering

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launched a new communications satellite into orbit today (Aug. 19) — but there appears to be a problem with the satellite.

The Rocket Lab Electron booster carrying the "Look Ma, No Hands" mission stands in launch position, with its strongback support structure (right) in place ahead of a successful launch of four cubesats from Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand on Aug. 19, 2019.

Here's the Story Behind Rocket Lab's 'Look Ma, No Hands' Launch Name

By Meghan Bartels

Rocket Lab's Electron mission dubbed "Look Ma, No Hands" blasted off smoothly today from a pad in mountainous New Zealand, funny name and all.

Rocket Lab competed its eighth Electron launch, dubbed "Look Ma, No Hands" on Aug. 19, 2019.

Rocket Lab Electron Booster Launches 4 Satellites Into Orbit

By Elizabeth Howell

The private spaceflight company Rocket Lab launched four new satellites into orbit for the U.S Air Force Space Command and companies in Seattle and France on Monday (Aug. 19).

A chunk of orbiting debris (circled) is visible in this view of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko taken by Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft in October 2015. Spanish astrophotographer Jacint Roger noticed the object in 2019, after going through Rosetta archival photos.

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.

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket stands at Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula during fueling operations for launch on Aug. 17, 2019 local time (Aug. 16 EDT/GMT). The launch was delayed by high winds.

Rocket Lab Delays Electron Launch Due to High Winds

By Tariq Malik

The private spaceflight company Rocket Lab postponed the launch of an Electron rocket carrying four small satellites Friday (Aug. 16) due to high winds.

A Rocket Lab Electron booster is prepared for the company's eight launch, called "Look Ma, No Hands," from Launch Complex 1 at Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. The mission will launch six small satellites into orbit on Aug. 16, 2019.

You Can Watch Rocket Lab Launch 4 Satellites Into Orbit Soon. Here's How.

By Tariq Malik

A Rocket Lab Electron booster will launch a quartet of satellites into orbit today (Aug. 16) and you can watch it all live online.

LinkSpace's RLV-T5 rocket prototype nears its landing pad during an April 19, 2019 test flight. The company is pursuing vertical launch vertical landing technology for space missions.

LinkSpace Reusable Rocket Prototype Makes Its Highest Flight Yet (And Lands, Too!)

By Tariq Malik

The Chinese company LinkSpace successfully flew a rocket prototype on its highest flight yet, then nailed the landing as the firm pursues reusable spaceflight technology.

"Mad" Mike Hughes will attempt to launch most likely this upcoming weekend after a faulty water heater caused more delays.

'Mad' Flat-Earther's Steam Rocket Launch Grounded by Bad Water Heater Bought on Craigslist

By Chelsea Gohd

"Mad" Mike Hughes will have to wait until this weekend to launch after having issues with the water heater for his steam-powered rocket.

"Mad" Mike Hughes will attempt to launch himself higher than ever before in a homemade steam-powered rocket this upcoming Sunday, Aug. 11.

'Mad' Flat-Earther to Launch Himself 5,000 Feet Up on a Homemade Steam Rocket Sunday

By Chelsea Gohd

This weekend, flat-Earther and amateur rocketeer "Mad" Mike Hughes will attempt to launch himself 5,000 feet into the air.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Extremely High Frequency 5 military communications satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 8, 2019.

Atlas V Rocket Launches Advanced Communications Satellite for US Military

By Amy Thompson

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket took to the skies early this morning (Aug. 8), delivering a highly advanced communications satellite into space for the U.S. Air Force.

The Atlas V rocket that will launch the AEHF-5 satellite rolls out to the launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Here's How to Watch an Atlas V Rocket Launch a US Military Satellite Today

By Hanneke Weitering

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch a military communications satellite together with an experimental cubesat Thursday morning (Aug. 8), and you can watch the mission live online.

Footage from China Central Television shows grid fins on a Long March 2C rocket that launched in July 2019.

See China's Cool New Rocket Fins in Action!

By Elizabeth Howell

They may look like waffle-makers, but China's new rocket fins are cooking up something even more special: the ability to guide rockets to a safe zone after launch.

United Launch Alliance's Atlas 5 booster sits on the mobile launch platform at the Vertical Integration Facility adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The rocket will launch the fifth Advance dExtremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) protected communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

Upcoming Atlas V Mission Will Launch Air Force Cubesat Before It Releases Main Payload

By Sandra Erwin

The Air Force integrated a 12U cubesat on the Centaur's aft bulkhead carrier.

Artist's illustration of the first stage of a Rocket Lab Electron booster returning to Earth for recovery and reuse.

Rocket Lab Plans to Snag Falling Boosters with a Helicopter and Refly Them

By Mike Wall

The California-based company plans to start recovering and reflying the first stage of its Electron launch vehicle in the near future.

An Ariane 5 rocket designated VA249 launches the Intelsat 39 and EDRS-C communications satellites into orbit on Aug. 6, 2019.

In Photos: Ariane 5 Rocket Launches Intelsat 39 and EDRS-C Communications Satellites

By Hanneke Weitering

On Aug. 6, 2019, Arianespace used an Ariane 5 rocket to launch two new communications satellites into orbit on a rideshare mission. See photos of the mission here!

Ariane 5 soars into the midday sky with two new telecommunication satellites on board.

Ariane 5 Rocket Launches 2 New Communications Satellites

By Passant Rabie

Arianespace launched an Ariane 5 rocket Tuesday (Aug. 6) from Kourou, French Guiana, sending two new telecommunications satellites into orbit.

A Russian Proton-M rocket carrying the Yamal-601 communications satellite launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 30, 2019. A Proton-M launched Russia’s Blagovest No. 14L satellite from Baikonur on Aug. 5, 2019.

Russia Launches 4th and Final 'Blagovest' Military Communications Satellite

By Mike Wall

Russia just launched the fourth and final piece of its new military communications constellation.

The Long March 2C at Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Chinese Long March Rocket Launch Tests Grid Fins for Safety, Future Reusability

By Andrew Jones

The launch of a Long March 2C from Xichang last week included a first use of grid fins by China to minimize the threat posed by the spent first stage to populated areas downrange.