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 fairing is visible at left of the image with outgassing visible on the right in dramatic colors

Watch SpaceX Falcon Heavy fairing make fiery re-entry to Earth's atmosphere (video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The satellite-protecting payload fairing on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy made dramatic waves when it came back to Earth after the powerful rocket's launch last weekend.

A bluShift Aerospace Stardust 1.0 rocket launches on its first low-altitude test flight from a runway at the Loring Commerce Centre in Limestone, Maine on Jan. 31, 2021.

Watch bluShift Aerospace test its revamped rocket engine today

By Mike Wall published

Small-rocket startup bluShift Aerospace will test its revamped MAREVL engine today (May 3), and you can watch the action live.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with 56 Starlink satellites launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 4, 2023.

SpaceX launches 56 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched another big batch of its Starlink internet satellites and landed the returning rocket at sea early Thursday morning (May 4).

SpaceX Starship streaks through the sky on its 1st test flight on April 20, 2023.

SpaceX should be ready to launch Starship again in 6 to 8 weeks, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX should be ready to launch its giant Starship vehicle again just six to eight weeks from now, Elon Musk said, though securing the necessary approvals may take a bit longer.

SpaceX's first integrated Starship and Super Heavy launch into the sky from Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas on April 20, 2023.

Environmental groups sue FAA over SpaceX Starship rocket

By Mike Wall published

A coalition of environmental groups is suing the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, claiming the agency didn't fully analyze the environmental damage that SpaceX's Starship could cause.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch aborted about 1 minute prior to launch on April 28, 2023.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket aborts triple satellite launch at last minute

By Tariq Malik published

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying three satellites aborted an attempted launch at the last minute late Friday (April 28).

SpaceX launched 2 SES communications satellites on from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on April 28, 2023.

SpaceX launches 2 communications satellites, lands rocket at sea

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched two satellites for the telecom company SES today (April 28) and landed the first stage of the rocket at sea.

Rocket Lab is gearing up for two launches that will send four hurricane-watching satellites aloft for NASA's TROPICS constellation.

Rocket Lab to launch 2 missions for NASA hurricane-watching constellation

By Josh Dinner published

Rocket Lab is preparing to launch four tiny NASA hurricane-studying satellites across two missions from the company's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

SpaceX's first integrated Starship and Super Heavy launch into the sky from Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas on April 20, 2023.

SpaceX Starship launch under FAA investigation after raining potentially hazardous debris on homes and beaches

By Ben Turner published

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the April 20 launch of SpaceX’s Starship amid claims the launch smashed windows and rained ash on the habitats of endangered animals.

rainy and foggy camera view of starlink satellites atop a falcon 9 rocket. at bottom is a countdown clock frozen at t-16 seconds

SpaceX aborts launch of Starlink satellites seconds before liftoff due to rocket landing concerns

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX called off its launch of Starlink satellites on April 26 due to 'probability of landing failure,' an official said during the live broadcast.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches three satellites toward orbit on April 30, 2023. It was the sixth-ever mission for the powerful launcher.

SpaceX launches 3 satellites to orbit on 6th-ever Falcon Heavy mission

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket for the sixth time ever on Sunday (April 30), sending three satellites to orbit.

ULA rolled its first Vulcan Centaur rocket to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41 for testing on March 9, 2023.

ULA's Vulcan rocket launch debut delayed by fireball during testing

By Andrew Jones published

United Launch Alliance's plans for a first launch of its new Vulcan rocket have been complicated by a violent explosion during testing of the rocket's upper stage.

spacex falcon 9 rocket rising above the clouds during a launch

SpaceX launches 46 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea after delay

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched another big batch of its Starlink internet satellites and landed the returning rocket at sea on Thursday morning (April 27).

a massive cloud of dust is kicked up by a huge rocket on a launch pad

Why did SpaceX Starship's debut launch cause so much damage to the pad?

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX thought Starship's orbital launch mount could handle the vehicle's tremendous thrust during its debut launch last week. But that wasn't the case.

an illustration of a small satellite orbiting the Earth

SpaceX launches world's 1st 5G satellite to bring global connectivity to Internet of Things

By Josh Dinner published

The Sateliot "GroundBreaker" is the first of a constellation of over 250 spacecraft designed to communicate with terrestrial 5G cell towers and fill gaps in data networks worldwide.

A large swirl of blue light shines above the peak of a hill.

Ethereal whirlpool of light grows into a giant, perfect spiral above Alaska. What was it?

By Harry Baker published

A mystifying swirl of light recently appeared in the night sky above Alaska, briefly outshining a vibrant auroral display.

a massive cloud of dust is kicked up by a huge rocket on a launch pad

SpaceX celebrated Starship's 1st launch. Some locals called it 'truly terrifying'

By Josh Dinner published

The launch of SpaceX's Starship sent dust and debris hurtling through the air, creating concerns for residents in the vicinity of the company's Starbase facility.

SpaceX's first fully integrated Starship vehicle rises into the South Texas sky on April 20, 2023.

What's next for SpaceX's Starship after its historic flight test?

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX wants to fly its giant Starship vehicle again soon, but there's a lot of work to do before that can happen.

An Indian PSLV rocket launches two Singaporean satellites to orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on April 22, 2023.

Indian rocket sends 2 Singaporean satellites to orbit in 'textbook launch'

By Mike Wall last updated

An Indian rocket launched two Singaporean satellites to low Earth orbit early Saturday morning (April 22).

SpaceX's first integrated Starship vehicle launches on a test flight from the company's Starbase facility in Texas on April 20, 2023 in this shot from a camera mounted on the launch tower.

Starship up close! See giant SpaceX rocket lift off in slo-mo launch tower video

By Mike Wall published

A new video filmed from Starship's launch tower gets you up close and personal with Thursday's (April 20) landmark liftoff of the giant SpaceX vehicle.