Launch

Momentus said it is unable to confirm the deployment of three out of five satellites launched on the recent SpaceX Transporter-9 mission in November.  Momentus used a third party deployer on this mission instead of its Vigoride orbital service vehicle. In an update published late Tuesday, Momentus confirmed the deployment of two satellites for Hello Space....

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has allocated 820,000 pounds ($1.03 million) to support the development of a new Space Technology Test Centre (STTC) in Wales. The Snowdonia Space Centre secured this funding under the Agencies Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund. The Snowdonia Space Centre will develop the STTC, in partnership with Newton Launch Systems at the...

Amazon tapped constellation competitor SpaceX to launch some of its Kuiper satellites. Amazon announced a deal on Dec. 1 for three Falcon 9 launches on Friday, targeted to start in mid-2025.  This adds to Amazon’s massive deal for up to 83 launches with ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin. Those contracts cover launches on the Vulcan...

U.S. Space Systems Command on Nov. 30 said it is targeting December 10 for the launch of an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle, marking the seventh mission for the Boeing-built unmanned spacecraft that will reenter Earth’s atmosphere and land as a space plane. The upcoming U.S. Space Force (USSF)-52 mission is...

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is fully booked for the second test flight of its rocket set for 2024, through a program with the German government. RFA won the DLR Microlauncher competition in 2022 organized by the German Space Agency and German Aerospace Center (DLR). This secured the government as the anchor customer for its first...

SpaceX conducted the second Starship test flight over the weekend, making progress over the first test in April, but falling short of reaching orbit.  The test took place on Saturday morning, Nov. 18, from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. Flight two achieved substantial progress over the first test in April, which exploded before stage separation...

Firefly Aerospace last week said it has raised about $300 million in the past eight months, adding that it is generating additional interest from investors following the startup’s successful tactical responsive space launch mission in September. The latest Series C round is being led by existing investors that include the private equity firm AE Industrial Partners, and...

The Centaur V upper stage for the first Vulcan Centaur rocket has arrived in Cape Canaveral ahead of its debut mission, set for Christmas Eve. United Launch Alliance (ULA) CEO Tory Bruno gave an update on the launch to reporters on Wednesday, ahead of the rocket’s debut.  The upper stage, which arrived at the Cape...

SpaceX launched two O3b mPOWER satellites for SES, and a 90-payload rideshare mission in a busy weekend of Falcon 9 missions. SES confirmed that the fifth and sixth O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched in a Sunday mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida. SES expects to begin commercial service with O3b mPOWER in the second quarter...

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed its safety review of SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy license evaluation, the regulator announced on Tuesday. However the FAA is still working on an environmental review.  The FAA said in a statement that the safety review focuses on public health and safety of property, including flight safety and risk criteria...