Launch
SpaceX to upgrade Cape Canaveral pad for crew and cargo missions
As SpaceX prepares to launch a new crew to the International Space Station from one pad at the Kennedy Space Center, it is starting work to upgrade another pad at Cape Canaveral as a backup.
Firefly’s Alpha rocket reaches orbit on second launch
Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha launch vehicle reached orbit on its second launch Oct. 1, more than a year after the vehicle’s first launch failed.
South Korea seeks $32.9 million to launch satellites grounded by Russia sanctions
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s science ministry plans to set aside 47.2 billion won ($32.9 million) in next year’s budget to launch two satellites that have been left grounded because of Western sanctions …
NASA and Astra modify TROPICS launch contract
NASA and Astra Space have revised a launch contract originally awarded for the launch of a cubesat constellation after Astra retired the launch vehicle that would have launched those spacecraft.
Crew-5 launch preparations continue amid hurricane threat
NASA is, for now, moving ahead with plans for a launch of the next crew to the International Space Station early next week as it watches an approaching hurricane.
China conducts trio of orbital launches across two days
China launched eight classified remote sensing satellites across three launches in recent days, adding to the country’s development of reconnaissance capabilities.
ULA’s Delta 4 prepares for final West Coast launch as Vandenberg seeks new tenants
After completing the NROL-91 mission, ULA will start vacating SLC-6 and consolidate operations at SLC-3
Draft solicitation for national security space launch services expected in early 2023
Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy said DoD has to approve the NSSL Phase 3 strategy before a draft request for proposals can be released
Next batch of OneWeb satellites arrive in India for launch
OneWeb said Sept. 20 its latest batch of 36 broadband satellites has arrived in India ahead of plans to launch them next month on the country's largest rocket.
Shanghai rocket maker considering developing huge methane-fueled rockets
A major arm of China’s state-owned space contractor is looking at developing a series of partially and fully-reusable launch vehicles apparently in response to SpaceX’s Starship.
PLD Space completes static-fire tests of Miura 1
PLD Space, a Spanish company developing a small launch vehicle, says it is ready to proceed with the launch of a suborbital technology demonstrator after completing a static-fire test.
Congress asks for more transparency into New Shepard failure investigation
Leaders of the House space subcommittee have asked the Federal Aviation Administration for more details on its investigation into a Blue Origin New Shepard launch accident.
Rocket Lab launches Japanese radar imaging satellite on 30th Electron mission
Rocket Lab successfully launched a Japanese radar imaging satellite Sept. 15 as the company prepares for another attempt to recover and reuse a booster.
New launch vehicles inch towards the pad
Several new launch vehicles, some years behind their original schedules, are now expected to make their inaugural launches within the next year.
Blue Origin says still “super early” into New Shepard launch failure investigation
A Blue Origin executive said it’s too soon to conclude what caused the failure of a New Shepard suborbital vehicle on a Sept. 12 flight, playing down any implications for the company’s New Glenn orbital rocket.
