Launch
Ariane 5 issue could delay JWST
Ongoing work to address a problem seen on two previous Ariane 5 launches has kept that launch vehicle grounded for months and could delay the high-profile launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope later this year.
Space Force seeks bids for rocket engine testing and space transportation technologies
The U.S. Space Force on May 11 issued requests for proposals for next-generation rocket engine testing, launch vehicle upper stage enhancements, and capabilities to maneuver in space.
Space Force renames Florida-based launch wing Space Launch Delta 45
The U.S. Space Force has officially renamed the 45th Space Wing that oversees Florida’s launch ranges Space Launch Delta 45.
SpaceX sets booster reuse milestone on Starlink launch
SpaceX launched a set of Starlink satellites May 9 on a Falcon 9 whose first stage was making its tenth flight, a long-awaited goal in the company’s reusability efforts.
Long March 5B falls into Indian Ocean after world follows rocket reentry
Debris from a large Chinese rocket stage fell into the Indian Ocean late May 8 Eastern as people around the world watched for signs of the fiery reentry event in the skies.
China acknowledges Long March 5B situation as rocket heads for weekend reentry
China’s foreign ministry on Friday acknowledged the imminent uncontrolled reentry of the Long March 5B as the orbit of the first stage continued to lose altitude.
Virgin Orbit schedules next LauncherOne mission for June
Virgin Orbit has scheduled its next LauncherOne mission for June, carrying a mix of defense and commercial cubesats.
Starliner test flight scheduled for July 30
NASA and Boeing have scheduled a second uncrewed test flight of the CST-100 Starliner commercial crew spacecraft for July 30.
Isar Aerospace wins three-way DLR microlauncher competition
German launch startup Isar Aerospace beat out Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse Technologies to win a DLR endorsement that clears the way for it to secure 11 million euros from the European Space Agency’s Boost! program.
Starship survives test flight
A SpaceX Starship prototype successfully carried out a brief suborbital flight May 5 after four previous vehicles were destroyed during or shortly after landing.
Space Force to clear refurbished Falcon 9 booster for upcoming GPS launch
The U.S. Space Force this month will complete a design review of a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster that flew a military GPS satellite to orbit last fall. The booster will be cleared to fly another GPS satellite sometime in June.
Chinese rocket stage predicted to reenter atmosphere around May 8
A large rocket stage which launched China’s first space station last week is likely to reenter the atmosphere around May 8 according to early space tracking predictions.
SpaceX continues Starlink deployment with latest launch
SpaceX continued the deployment of its Starlink broadband megaconstellation May 4 with the second launch of 60 satellites in less than a week.
Study calls on U.S. to change how it buys space technology, reduce congestion in low orbits
The Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress released a new report May 4 calling on the U.S. government to accelerate the procurement of commercial space technologies and manage growing congestion in low-Earth orbit.
Huge rocket looks set for uncontrolled reentry following Chinese space station launch
The Long March 5B rocket which launched China's first space station module Thursday is likely to undergo an uncontrolled reentry into the Earth's atmosphere in the coming says.
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites April 28, its first since the FCC approved a modification that allows the company to operate more satellites in lower orbits.
