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

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the company’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft atop, lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission at 12:34 a.m. EST on March 2, 2023

SpaceX launches Crew-6 astronaut mission to space station for NASA

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX's Crew-6 mission for NASA launched early Thursday morning (March 2) with a crew of four on course to dock with the International Space Station in about 24 hours.

four astronauts sitting in a spacecraft with seatbelts and spacesuits on

SpaceX 'go' to launch Crew-6 astronauts for NASA on March 2 after rocket review

By Elizabeth Howell published

After SpaceX scrubbed its Crew-6 astronaut launch for NASA Monday (Feb. 27) due to an ignition-fluid issue, a meeting with NASA cleared the mission for a new attempt on Thursday, March 2.

Insulation tiles fall from a Long March 2C rocket carrying the Horus 1 satellite as it rises from the launch pad at Jiuquan spaceport on Feb. 23, 2023.

China launches secretive Horus 1 remote-sensing satellite (video)

By Andrew Jones published

China sent a secretive remote-sensing satellite named Horus 1 to orbit on Friday night (Feb. 23) as the country begins to ramp up its launch activity.

SpaceX's first V2 mini Starlink internet satellites deploy from their Falcon 9 rocket upper stage with the blue Earth in the background.

Watch SpaceX deploy its 1st V2 mini Starlink internet satellites in orbit in this stunning video

By Elizabeth Howell published

Spectacular video shows SpaceX deploying the first set of a new generation of Starlink internet satellites after a launch from Florida Monday (Feb. 27).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 51 of the company's Starlink internet satellites launches from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 3, 2023.

SpaceX launches 51 Starlink satellites to orbit after weather delays

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 51 of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Friday (March 3) after a series of weather delays.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule that will fly the Crew-6 astronaut mission for NASA sits on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is currently targeted for early Thursday morning (March 2).

SpaceX now targeting early Thursday for Crew-6 astronaut launch

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX and NASA are now targeting early Thursday morning (March 2) for the launch of the Crew-6 astronaut mission, after a Monday (Feb 27) attempt was scrubbed late in the countdown.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 21 Starlink "V2 mini" satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 27, 2023.

SpaceX launches 1st batch of new 'V2 mini' Starlink satellites to orbit

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

SpaceX sent the first of a new generation of Starlink internet satellites toward orbit in a gorgeous sunset liftoff from Florida on Monday evening (Feb. 27).

SpaceX's Crew-6 Dragon Endeavour sits atop its Falcon 9 rocket on the pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida shortly after its planned launch attempt on Feb. 27, 2023 was scrubbed due to an ignition-fluid issue.

SpaceX scrubs Crew-6 astronaut launch due to ignition-fluid issue

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX scrubbed its Crew-6 astronaut launch for NASA on Monday (Feb. 27) with just over two minutes left in the countdown due to an ignition-fluid issue.

ULA Enterprise Flight

DNA from 4 American presidents will launch to deep space

By Jeff Spry published

Celestis has added DNA samples from four former American presidents to one of its upcoming memorial spaceflights.

Japan's new H3 rocket is seen here shortly after aborting its first-ever launch attempt on Feb. 16, 2023.

Faulty power supply scuttled debut launch of Japan's new H3 rocket

By Andrew Jones published

Japan's space agency says it has identified the issue that caused the first launch of the H3 rocket to be aborted last week.

rocket at right firing its engines with smoke pouring at left. the image is taken at night

SpaceX test-fires rocket ahead of Crew-6 astronaut launch for NASA (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

SpaceX's rocket ride fired up its engines today (Feb. 24) ahead of launching its next NASA astronaut mission from Florida.

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

Relativity Space sets launch of world's 1st 3D-printed rocket for March 8

By Elizabeth Howell published

The 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket from Relativity Space will fly from Florida's space coast, and will also mark the first natural liquid natural gas booster in space if all goes to plan.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew-6 Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft rolls to Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida for a Feb. 27, 2023 launch.

SpaceX rolls out rocket for NASA's Crew-6 astronaut launch (photos)

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's rocket ride for its next NASA astronaut launch from Florida is on the pad and ready for flight.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 51 Starlink internet satellites launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Feb. 17, 2023.

SpaceX launches 51 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched 51 of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Friday (Feb. 17), acing the first of two orbital missions the company has planned for the day.

The launch of the Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket as seen from the press site at Kennedy Space Center.

Artemis 1 moon launch was as loud as 40 million bowls of Rice Krispies: study

By Brett Tingley published

A new study has found that the launch of NASA's Artemis 1 mega moon rocket created sound levels far more powerful than predicted.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the I-6 F2 satellite for British company Inmarsat from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 17, 2023. It was SpaceX's second launch in less than nine hours.

SpaceX aces 2nd mission in 9 hours, sending communications satellite to orbit

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched a big telecom satellite to orbit on Friday night (Feb. 17), acing its second orbital mission in less than nine hours.

Japan's new H3 rocket is seen here shortly after aborting its first-ever launch attempt on Feb. 16, 2023.

Japan's new H3 rocket aborts 1st-ever launch attempt

By Mike Wall published

Japan's powerful new H3 rocket aborted its first-ever launch attempt on Thursday (Feb. 16), remaining on the pad because its two solid rocket boosters failed to ignite as planned.

Virgin Orbit's Boeing 747 carrier plane Cosmic Girl photographed releasing the company's LauncherOne rocket during a July 2019 drop test.

Virgin Orbit traces failed UK rocket launch to 'dislodged fuel filter'

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Orbit's first-ever launch from the United Kingdom was apparently doomed by a fuel filter that got knocked out of place.

Japan's first H3 rocket stands on the pad after a test on Dec. 27, 2022.

Watch debut launch of Japan's powerful new H3 rocket tonight

By Mike Wall last updated

Japan's next-generation H3 rocket is scheduled to fly for the first time ever tonight (Feb. 16), and you can watch the liftoff live.

A Falcon 9 rocket launches 55 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 12, 2023.

SpaceX launches 55 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched its 10th mission of the year early Sunday (Feb. 12), sending 55 of its Starlink internet satellites skyward and landing the returning rocket on a ship at sea.