Launch Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/section/launch-archive/ Covering the business and politics of space Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:53:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png Launch Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/section/launch-archive/ 32 32 80681979 Crew-12 launches to ISS https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/ https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:53:38 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573545 Crew-12 launch

A Falcon 9 launched a new crew to the International Space Station Feb. 13 to start a busy schedule of arriving and departing vehicles at the station.

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China’s iSpace launch firm raises record $729 million for reusable rockets https://spacenews.com/chinas-ispace-launch-firm-raises-record-729-million-for-reusable-rockets/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-ispace-launch-firm-raises-record-729-million-for-reusable-rockets/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:58:22 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573518

Chinese launch firm iSpace has secured a record D++ funding round to accelerate its reusable rocket development efforts and expand its industrial footprint.

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First Ariane 64 launches Amazon Leo satellites https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:53:42 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573434 Ariane 64 launch

The more powerful version of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully placed a group of Amazon Leo broadband satellites into orbit on the vehicle’s inaugural launch Feb. 12.

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Launch companies debate how to compete against SpaceX https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/ https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:20:11 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573297 Electron launch of NEONSAT-1A

Launch companies are divided on how to compete with SpaceX in a market where demand outstrips supply, yet customers remain price sensitive.

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ULA’s Vulcan launches Space Force mission; solid booster anomaly under investigation https://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-launches-u-s-space-force-mission-to-geosynchronous-orbit/ https://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-launches-u-s-space-force-mission-to-geosynchronous-orbit/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:02:57 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573265

USSF-87 sends GSSAP payloads and propulsive ESPA ring on fourth Vulcan flight

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The Exploration Company completes water-impact tests for its Nyx space capsule https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-completes-water-impact-tests-for-its-nyx-space-capsule/ https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-completes-water-impact-tests-for-its-nyx-space-capsule/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:46:28 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573063 The Exploration Company conducted water-impact tests on a 1:4-scale model of its Nyx space capsule in January. Credit: The Exploration Company

MILAN — The French-German aerospace company The Exploration Company completed mock splashdown tests for its Nyx space capsule, a modular, reusable spacecraft designed to transport cargo and eventually crew to […]

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Stoke Space adds $350 million to Series D round https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-adds-350-million-to-series-d-round/ https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-adds-350-million-to-series-d-round/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:57:54 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572946 Stoke Nova

Stoke Space has raised an additional $350 million to advance work on its reusable launch vehicle and future projects.

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China tests crewed spacecraft abort and rocket recovery in major lunar milestone https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/ https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572912

China took a major step forward in its lunar and human spaceflight programs late Tuesday with successful in-flight abort and rocket recovery tests.

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ULA seeks to rebuild launch cadence after CEO’s exit https://spacenews.com/ula-seeks-to-rebuild-launch-cadence-after-ceos-exit/ https://spacenews.com/ula-seeks-to-rebuild-launch-cadence-after-ceos-exit/#respond Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:02:54 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572665

COO Mark Peller said ULA is aiming for between 18 and 22 launches in 2026

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Falcon 9 returns to flight after upper stage engine investigation https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-returns-to-flight-after-upper-stage-engine-investigation/ https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-returns-to-flight-after-upper-stage-engine-investigation/#respond Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:14:02 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=571787 F9 launch 2026 Feb 7

A Falcon 9 launched a batch of Starlink satellites on Feb. 7 after SpaceX completed an investigation into an engine malfunction during the rocket’s previous launch five days earlier.

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China launches reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission https://spacenews.com/china-launches-reusable-spaceplane-on-fourth-secretive-orbital-mission/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-reusable-spaceplane-on-fourth-secretive-orbital-mission/#respond Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:00:43 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=571625 Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

China launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the fourth time late Friday, once again maintaining strict secrecy around the mission.

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China set for in-flight abort test of Mengzhou crew spacecraft https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-in-flight-abort-test-of-mengzhou-crew-spacecraft/ https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-in-flight-abort-test-of-mengzhou-crew-spacecraft/#respond Fri, 06 Feb 2026 10:12:21 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=571178 China’s Mengzhou crew spacecraft launches away from the pad during a successful pad abort test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 17, 2025, with plumes of smoke and dust rising from the desert launch site.

China appears set for an in-flight abort test of its new-generation Mengzhou spacecraft next week in a key step for the country’s human spaceflight plans.

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FAA approves Starship launches from LC-39A https://spacenews.com/faa-approves-starship-launches-from-lc-39a/ https://spacenews.com/faa-approves-starship-launches-from-lc-39a/#respond Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:01:21 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=571072 Starship LC-39A

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved plans for Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A as SpaceX shifts Falcon 9 launches away from the historic pad.

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SpaceX pauses Falcon 9 launches after upper stage anomaly https://spacenews.com/spacex-pauses-falcon-9-launches-after-upper-stage-anomaly/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-pauses-falcon-9-launches-after-upper-stage-anomaly/#respond Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:29:06 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=570290 Falcon 9 launch 2026 Feb 2

SpaceX is pausing Falcon 9 launches after an issue with the rocket’s upper stage encountered at the end of a launch Feb. 2.

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Amazon buys 10 more Falcon 9 launches https://spacenews.com/amazon-buys-10-more-falcon-9-launches/ https://spacenews.com/amazon-buys-10-more-falcon-9-launches/#respond Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:39:03 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=570032 Falcon 9 KF-02 launch

Amazon has purchased an additional 10 Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX as part of its efforts to accelerate deployment of its broadband satellite constellation.

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China launches AlSat-3B for Algeria, further launches delayed ahead of key human spaceflight test https://spacenews.com/china-launches-alsat-3b-for-algeria-further-launches-delayed-ahead-of-key-human-spaceflight-test/ https://spacenews.com/china-launches-alsat-3b-for-algeria-further-launches-delayed-ahead-of-key-human-spaceflight-test/#respond Sat, 31 Jan 2026 10:10:55 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569722 A Long March 2C rocket lifts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi Desert, trailing a thick plume of orange-brown exhaust and dust as it rises beside the launch tower under a clear blue sky, with low buildings and flat desert terrain stretching into the distance.

China launched a satellite for Algeria late Friday, as signs mount that multiple missions have been delayed amid preparations for a key human spaceflight test.

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Rocket Lab launches South Korean satellite https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launches-south-korean-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-launches-south-korean-satellite/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:01:41 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569480 Electron launch of NEONSAT-1A

A Rocket Lab Electron launched a South Korean imaging satellite Jan. 29 on the rocket’s second flight of the year.

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SpaceX plans next Starship test flight in March https://spacenews.com/spacex-plans-next-starship-test-flight-in-march/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-plans-next-starship-test-flight-in-march/#respond Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:08:35 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569358 Starship Flight 11

The first Starship test flight of 2026 is scheduled for as soon as early March as SpaceX enters a critical year in the vehicle’s development.

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China set for crewed lunar tests, record launches, moon mission and reusable rockets in 2026 https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-crewed-lunar-tests-record-launches-moon-mission-and-reusable-rockets-in-2026/ https://spacenews.com/china-set-for-crewed-lunar-tests-record-launches-moon-mission-and-reusable-rockets-in-2026/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:36:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569198 A Long March rocket stands on a launch pad in a desert setting during a static fire test, with engines firing and producing a large plume of white and gray exhaust and dust spreading outward across the ground, framed by lightning towers under a clear sky.

China appears set to accelerate its launch rate this year while also conducting tests key to its crewed lunar ambitions and launching major missions.

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FAA projects continuing growth in commercial space transportation https://spacenews.com/faa-projects-continuing-growth-in-commercial-space-transportation/ https://spacenews.com/faa-projects-continuing-growth-in-commercial-space-transportation/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:09:07 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569181 F9 launch

The Federal Aviation Administration office that regulates commercial spaceflight expects continued growth in launches, despite industry concerns about whether the office can keep pace.

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SpaceX launches GPS satellite for U.S. Space Force https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-gps-satellite-for-u-s-space-force/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-launches-gps-satellite-for-u-s-space-force/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:47:20 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=569151

Mission marks third consecutive GPS launch reassigned from ULA to SpaceX

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Vega C to launch Brazilian satellite https://spacenews.com/vega-c-to-launch-brazilian-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/vega-c-to-launch-brazilian-satellite/#respond Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:55:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=568973 Vega C VV28

A Brazilian government agency will launch an Earth observation satellite on a Vega C rocket, working with a launch broker rather than contracting directly with Avio.

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H3 failure linked to payload fairing separation anomaly https://spacenews.com/h3-failure-linked-to-payload-fairing-separation-anomaly/ https://spacenews.com/h3-failure-linked-to-payload-fairing-separation-anomaly/#respond Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:56:13 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=568827 H3 F8 payload fairing

An H3 launch failure in December may have been caused by an unusual event that led to the satellite separating from the rocket prematurely.

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Blue Origin to reuse New Glenn booster on next launch https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-reuse-new-glenn-booster-on-next-launch/ https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-reuse-new-glenn-booster-on-next-launch/#respond Thu, 22 Jan 2026 23:24:25 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=568590

Blue Origin will reuse a New Glenn booster for the first time on the rocket’s next launch, carrying a satellite for AST SpaceMobile.

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