2025 – Page 32 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches Starshield satellites for the NRO on Falcon 9 rocket from California

January 9, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch was the first of about half a dozen missions planned to expand the National Reconnaissance Office’s proliferated architecture satellite constellation. Liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 7:53 p.m. PST (10:53 p.m. EST, 0353 UTC).

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center

January 8, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission was SpaceX’s third orbital launch of the year and 99th in total from Launch Complex 39. Liftoff of the Starlink 12-11 mission occurred at 10:27 a.m. EST (1527 UTC).

As it happened: NASA announces new path options for Mars Sample Return mission

January 7, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA put out a call in 2024 for proposals from industry and NASA centers for how to retrieve samples from the Martian surface in a cheaper way and on a shorter timeline.

SpaceX launches first dedicated Starlink mission of 2025

January 6, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will be the first dedicated Starlink flight of the year. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened on Monday, Jan. 6, at 3:43 p.m. EST (2043 UTC).

SpaceX to attempt first payload deployment, engine reuse during Starship Flight 7

January 4, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Maritime and aviation warning suggest a launch no earlier than Jan. 10, but SpaceX hasn’t formally announced its target launch date. Flight 7 will also feature the first launch of a Block 2 Starship upper stage.

SpaceX notches first orbital launch of 2025 with mission for UAE-based Space42

January 3, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The satellite will help offset capabilities lost with the loss of Thuraya 3 in April 2024. Liftoff of the Thuraya 4-NGS mission from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened on Friday, Jan. 3 at 8:27 p.m. EST (0127 UTC).

India launches its first on-orbit docking demonstration in 5th and final launch of 2024

January 3, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The SpaDeX mission will see two spacecraft orbit together before performing a docking demo needed on future missions. Liftoff happened at 10 p.m. IST (11:30 a.m. EST, 1630 UTC).