Mission Reports

The fifth launch of a Japanese Epsilon rocket was scrubbed Thursday night. The mission will carry nine small satellites into orbit to test an array of space technologies, demonstrate techniques to eliminate space debris, and prove out a miniature space lab for biological experiments.

China’s classified Shiyan 10 test satellite failed after launching into orbit on a Long March 3B rocket Monday, Chinese state media said.

The co-founders of the satellite remote sensing company Planet Labs and the clinical research software firm Medidata, both wealthy entrepreneurs, are two of the four passengers slated to launch to the edge of space next month on Blue Origin’s next suborbital flight.

A Chinese solid-fueled rocket blasted off from the Jiuquan launch base Monday and successfully deployed a small commercially-focused Earth-imaging satellite into polar orbit.