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.

Latest Updates

A Chinese Long March 4C rocket lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, carrying three Yaogan 31 Group 3 satellites to orbit.

China just launched three more Yaogan 31 reconnaissance satellites to orbit

By Elizabeth Howell

China successfully sent three reconnaissance satellites into orbit Tuesday (Feb. 23), according to media reports.

SpaceX's Starship SN10 prototype (left) rolls out to its test stand while SN9 stands on its own pad at the company's South Texas facility near Boca Chica Village on Jan. 29, 2021. SN10 performed its second static-fire test on Feb. 25, 2021.

SpaceX fires up SN10 Starship prototype for 2nd time

By Mike Wall

SpaceX has fired up its newest Starship prototype for the second time, continuing the vehicle's test-flight prep.

An illustration of Relativity Space's Terran 1 rocket launching into space.

Relativity Space readies for its first launch of 3D-printed rocket later this year

By Elizabeth Howell

As Relativity Space plans to launch its 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket late this year, key market indicators show a company growing so quickly that it's attracting massive investor attention.

An artist's illustration of NASA's DART spacecraft prior to impact at the Didymos binary asteroid system.

NASA delays launch of DART asteroid defense mission

By Samantha Mathewson

NASA has delayed the launch of its first-ever planetary defense mission aimed at deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids from colliding with Earth.

The Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-15 cargo ship arrives at the International Space Station on Feb. 22, 2021 in this view from a camera on the station's exterior.

Cygnus cargo ship honoring 'Hidden Figure' Katherine Johnson arrives at space station

By Elizabeth Howell

Worms, an advanced supercomputer, an artificial retina experiment and more arrived at the International Space Station on a Cygnus cargo ship Monday.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying the uncrewed Cygnus NG-15 cargo ship launches from Pad 0A of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia on Feb. 20, 2021.

Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launches Cygnus cargo ship to space station for NASA

By Amy Thompson

NASA and Northrop Grumman are teaming up to launch a cargo capsule to the International Space Station (ISS) today (Feb. 20) and you can watch the action live online.

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket and Cygnus NG-15 cargo resupply spacecraft stand ready for launch at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, on Feb. 16, 2021. The NG-15 mission is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Northrop Grumman will launch a Cygnus cargo craft to the space station today. Watch it live!

By Amy Thompson

NASA and Northrop Grumman are teaming up to launch a cargo capsule to the International Space Station (ISS) today (Feb. 20) and you can watch the action live online.

The Empire State Building in New York City was illuminated with red lights to celebrate the landing of NASA's Mars rover Perseverance.

Space photos: The most amazing images this week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia

See the best photos on Space.com this week.

There's a lot going in space this year. Check out our up-to-date space launch schedule and calendar here!

Space calendar 2021: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more!

By Hanneke Weitering

Here's a guide to all the rocket launches and astronomical events in 2021, as well as milestones for space missions, anniversaries and conferences.

The Antares rocket and Cygnus capsule for the resupply mission dubbed NG-15 on the pad before launch, scheduled for Feb. 20, 2021.

NASA resupply mission prepares for Saturday launch to space station

By Amy Thompson

NASA and Northrop Grumman are set to launch a Cygnus cargo capsule chock-full of research and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Iranian government footage shows the country's new Zoljanah's first suborbital test launch.

Iran launches new rocket on suborbital test flight: report

By Elizabeth Howell

Iran recently test-launched a new rocket, according to the country's state television on Monday (Feb. 8) and news reports.

Russia's Progress 76 cargo resupply ship is pictured shortly after it departed the International Space Station on Feb. 9, 2021. The new Progress 77 cargo ship docked on Feb. 17.

Russia's Progress 77 cargo ship docks with the International Space Station

By Elizabeth Howell

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink internet satellites lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 of Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida at 10:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 15, 2021.

SpaceX launches 60 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit, misses rocket landing

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 60 Starlink internet satellites late Monday (Feb. 15), but failed to stick its landing at sea.

A Russian Soyuz rocket launches the uncrewed Progress 77 cargo ship toward the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on Feb. 15, 2021 local time (Feb. 14 EST).

Russia launches fresh Progress cargo ship to International Space Station

By Amy Thompson

A new Russian Progress cargo ship launched into orbit Sunday night (Feb. 14) to deliver cargo to the seven crew members on the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 60 Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida on Feb. 4, 2021.

SpaceX delays Starlink satellite fleet launch due to bad weather

By Tariq Malik

SpaceX postponed the launch of its next batch of Starlink internet satellites late Sunday (Feb. 14) due to bad weather.

Watch SpaceX and Russia launch a Valentine's Day rocket doubleheader tonight

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX and Russia's space agency Roscosmos are working towards a Valentine's Day launch doubleheader tonight (Feb. 14).

Astra's Rocket 3.1 launches from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Sept. 11, 2020.

Rocket launch startup Astra is the latest space company to go public

By Chris Ciaccia

Astra is launching into the smallsat market.

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launches the TJSW-6 communication technology experiment satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Feb. 4, 2021.

China launches new satellite for communications and technology tests

By Andrew Jones

China carried out its fourth orbital space launch on Thursday, sending a large satellite towards geostationary orbit from the hills of Xichang in the southwest of the country.