News – Spaceflight Now

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch NASA’s Europa Clipper on Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center

October 14, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The $5.2 billion mission will see the launch of NASA’s largest spacecraft bound on a planetary mission. Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A is set for 12:06 p.m. EDT (1606 UTC).

SpaceX pulls off mid-air launch pad capture of descending Super Heavy booster

October 13, 2024 William Harwood

In one of the most dramatic, high-risk space flights to date, SpaceX launched a gargantuan Super Heavy-Starship rocket on an unpiloted test flight Sunday and then used giant “mechazilla” robot arms on the pad gantry to pluck the returning first stage out of the sky in an unprecedented feat of engineering.

Live coverage: SpaceX to attempt first booster catch during the Starship Flight 5 mission

October 13, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch continues SpaceX’s advancement of the rocket, which is key not only to its ambitions, but also to NASA’s Artemis program. Liftoff from Starbase is set for 7 a.m. CDT (1200 UTC), the start of a 30-minute launch window.

ESA’s Hera spacecraft launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as Hurricane Milton takes aim at Florida

October 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is a follow-on from NASA’s planetary defense mission, DART, which succeeded in changing the orbit of an asteroid around its larger neighbor. Liftoff happened at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 UTC).

ULA launches second Vulcan flight, encounters strap-on booster anomaly

October 4, 2024 William Harwood

United Launch Alliance fired off a next-generation Vulcan rocket Friday in the second of two “certification” test flights needed before the new launcher can be used to carry high-priority national security payloads for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. One of two solid-propellant strap-on boosters provided by Northrop Grumman suffered an anomaly of some sort. ULA CEO Tory Bruno said it will be investigated.

Live coverage: ULA to launch second test flight of its Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral

October 3, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, dubbed Cert-2 by United Launch Alliance, is the final mission required before the rocket can begin launching national security missions. Liftoff is set for the beginning of a three-hour window at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC).

ESA’s Hera mission progresses towards launch pending Falcon 9 readiness

October 2, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The journey to the binary asteroid system, Didymos and its moon, Dimorphos, will take place over a roughly two-year period. The launch window lasts from October 7-27.

ULA rolls its Vulcan rocket to the launch pad ahead of second test flight

September 30, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The return of a Vulcan rocket to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 comes as United Launch Alliance steps closer to being able to launch national security missions for the U.S. Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. Launch is set for Friday, Oct. 4, during a three-hour launch window that opens at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC).

SpaceX grounds its Falcon rocket fleet after upper stage misfire

September 29, 2024 Steven Young

SpaceX’s Falcon rocket fleet was grounded for the third time in three months after a second stage problem occurred Saturday following the successful launch of a Dragon Capsule carrying two crew to the International Space Station. The suspension in flights comes as the company prepares to launch two solar system exploration missions in October with narrow launch windows.

SpaceX launches two to space station, giving Starliner astronauts a ride home in February

September 27, 2024 William Harwood

SpaceX launched a reduced two-man crew on a flight to the International Space Station Saturday, along with supplies and a pair of empty seats for two Starliner astronauts waiting to hitch a ride home in February after an unexpected eight-and-a-half-month stay in orbit.