May 2026 – Page 2 – Spaceflight Now

Launch preview: SpaceX tries again for first launch of its Starship Version 3 rocket

May 21, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will see the debut of several upgrades to the launch vehicle, including redesigned engines. Liftoff from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, is scheduled during a window that opens at 5:30 p.m. CDT (6:30 p.m. EDT / 2230 UTC).

SpaceX’s sunrise Starlink launch adds 29 satellites to low Earth orbit megaconstellation

May 20, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 10-31 mission was the 58th Falcon 9 launch so far in 2026. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 6:04 a.m. EDT (1004 UTC).

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB

May 20, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX’s 45th Starlink mission of the year saw the company add another 24 broadband internet satellites into low Earth orbit. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 7:46 p.m. PDT (10:46 p.m. EDT / 0246 UTC).

NASA, SpaceX launch Dragon mission with 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the space station

May 15, 2026 Spaceflight Now

Liftoff of the resupply mission, atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EDT (2205 UTC). The Cargo Dragon is loaded with 6,500 pounds of science and supplies for the space station.

ULA confirms successful solid rocket booster test as Vulcan anomaly investigation continues

May 14, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The static fire test was conducted by Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the GEM 63XL solid rocket booster that can be used to help power United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rockets. An in-flight anomaly was observed on one of those back in mid-February.

SpaceX targets May 19 for debut of Starship Version 3, Launch Pad 2

May 12, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will test a host of changes made to both the launch vehicle and the launch infrastructure as SpaceX prepares to support the Artemis 3 mission in 2027.

For a second time, poor weather scrubs Cargo Dragon mission launch to the space station

May 12, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX’s 34th mission as part of the Commercial Resupply Services 2 contract with NASA will deliver 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for Friday, May 15, at 6:05 p.m. EDT (2205 UTC).

SpaceX launches intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office

May 11, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The NROL-72 mission was the 13th to date supporting what the NRO calls its “proliferated architecture” satellite constellation. Liftoff of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 7:13:50 p.m. PDT (10:13:50 p.m. EDT / 0213:50 UTC).

Rescue mission for NASA’s $500 million space telescope passes key testing milestone

May 8, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft is set to head to orbit in June 2026 onboard Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL air-launched rocket. NASA awarded Katalyst a $30 million contract for the mission in September 2025.

Rocket Lab announces five-launch Neutron deal as it continues aiming for late 2026 debut

May 7, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

The company pivoted to a Neutron rocket launch debut no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2026 following a first stage tank test failure earlier this year. The first flight of Neutron won’t be reusable, but aims to recover the first stage during its second flight with a landing barge.