Launches & Spacecraft

Latest about Launches & Spacecraft

Green shrubbery and sliver of road form a low horizon below a sunny blue sky. In the distance left of center, a short white rocket stands adjacent to a black tower. Much taller, right of center, reaching to the top of the image, a steel tower with black-barred extension arms reaching out near its base.

SpaceX rivals challenge Starship launch license in Florida over environmental, safety concerns

By Keith Cooper published

United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin have cited safety and environmental factors in challenges to SpaceX's launch license for Starship at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Launches & Spacecraft
a large white rocket flies through the sky above a cone of flame

Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket launches on long-awaited debut mission (video)

By Mike Wall published

The new Ariane 6 rocket launched for the first time ever today (July 9), opening a new chapter in European spaceflight history.

Launches & Spacecraft
The Ariane 6 rocket on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on June 20, 2024.

How to watch 1st launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket today (video)

By Samantha Mathewson published

The inaugural launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket is slated for today. Here's how to watch it live.

Launches & Spacecraft
a white rocket on a launch pad beneath cloudy skies

Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket launching for 1st time ever today

By Mike Wall last updated

Europe's new heavy-lift Ariane 6 rocket is set to make its long-delayed debut on Tuesday (July 9).

Launches & Spacecraft
a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a cloudy sky.

SpaceX launches Türkiye's 1st homegrown communications satellite to orbit (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched Türkiye's first domestically produced communications satellite today (July 8), sending the craft aloft from Florida's Space Coast.

Launches & Spacecraft
view from a rocket's upper stage looking down on earth from orbit

Firefly Aerospace launches 8 cubesats to orbit on 5th-ever launch (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket launched for the fifth time ever just after midnight on Thursday (July 4), sending eight cubesats to orbit.

Launches & Spacecraft
a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a blue sky.

SpaceX to launch NASA gamma-ray space telescope in 2027

By Mike Wall published

NASA picked SpaceX's Falcon 9 to be the rocket ride for its COSI gamma-ray space telescope, which is targeted to lift off in August 2027.

Launches & Spacecraft
a rocket lifting off in the darkness with smoke on the side

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites from Florida early on July 3 after delay (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida in the wee hours of Wednesday morning (July 3).

Launches & Spacecraft
a white rocket launches into a night sky

China launches communications satellite on 30th mission of the year (video)

By Andrew Jones published

A Long March 7A rocket launched the ChinaSat-3A spacecraft on June 29, boosting China's geostationary communications satellite fleet.

Launches & Spacecraft
animation looking up at a large rocket coming in for a landing near its launch tower.

Watch SpaceX catch Starship Super Heavy booster with 'chopsticks' in this animation

By Mike Wall published

A new SpaceX animation shows the company catching a returning Starship Super Heavy booster with the "chopstick" arms of its huge launch tower.

Launches & Spacecraft
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