Photos: Launch boosts satellite for U.S. allies

Arianespace announced this week it is organizing a contest open to startups, labs, and universities for a free launch of a nanosatellite on a future rideshare mission, likely on an Ariane 6 or Vega rocket.

Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket will deliver a Cygnus supply ship into orbit Monday to begin a three-day pursuit of the International Space Station.

A new all-weather radar imaging satellite for China’s civilian-oriented fleet of Gaofen Earth observatories launched Wednesday aboard a Long March 4C rocket, according to Chinese state media.