Launch
Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellites, lands booster
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched a new set of Starlink satellites and landed the booster March 4, two and a half weeks after the landing failed on the previous launch.
SpaceX launches and lands Starship prototype, which later explodes
SpaceX launched a prototype of its Starship next-generation vehicle March 3, landing it safely only to have the vehicle explode minutes later.
Eastern Range looks for ways to support additional launches
As launch activity grows on the Eastern Range in Florida, companies and government agencies are looking at ways to add capacity, largely through incremental improvements.
Crew-2 on schedule for April launch while next Starliner flight delayed
NASA officials said March 1 that the next SpaceX commercial crew mission to the International Space Station remains on schedule for late April, but that a Boeing uncrewed test flight is facing further delays.
Engine shutdown led to failed Falcon 9 booster landing
A Falcon 9 first stage failed to land after a launch last month because one of its engines shut down during flight after hot gas breached a worn-out cover.
Rocket Lab to go public through SPAC merger and develop medium-lift rocket
Rocket Lab, a developer of launch vehicles and smallsats, will merge with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to support development of a larger launch vehicle, part of the latest wave of deals to take space companies public.
Astra, Rocket Lab win launch contracts
Astra has won a NASA contract to launch a small constellation of Earth science cubesats, while General Atomics selected Rocket Lab for the launch of a small satellite with a NOAA hosted payload.
Orbex commissions 3D printer capable of producing 35+ rocket engines a year
On the heels of raising $24 million in December, Orbex announced Feb. 24 that it has commissioned AMCM to build a large-volume 3D printer for manufacturing its rocket engines.
South Korea to spend $553 million on space projects in 2021
South Korea will spend 615 billion won ($553.1 million) in 2021 on space activities aimed at bolstering its capacity to produce satellites, rockets and other key equipment.
China launches trio of Yaogan-31 ocean reconnaissance satellites
A Long March 4C rocket sent a latest series of three Yaogan-31 reconnaissance satellites into orbit late Tuesday.
SpaceX blames failed Falcon 9 booster landing on heat damage
A Falcon 9 booster failed to land after its most recent launch Feb. 15 because of “heat damage” it sustained, but a SpaceX official said he was confident that the boosters can be reused 10 or more times.
Space Force awards engineering contract for certification of ULA’s Vulcan rocket
Millennium Engineering and Integration on Feb. 19 received a $13.2 million contract for services in support of the Vulcan rocket certification.
General Atomics selects Firefly to launch NASA Earth science instrument
General Atomics selected Firefly Aerospace to launch a small Earth science satellite for NASA on an Alpha rocket in 2022.
Northrop Grumman launches Cygnus cargo spacecraft to space station
A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket launched a Cygnus spacecraft carrying supplies and experiments for the International Space Station Feb. 20.
Landspace closes in on orbital launch with liquid methane rocket
Chinese private firm Landspace is working towards a potential first orbital launch attempt with a methane-fueled launch vehicle later this year.
