News – Page 275 – Spaceflight Now

July 1, 2026

Breaking News

[ June 30, 2026 ] Astronauts ‘operate’ on space station’s broken robot arm Mission Reports
[ June 30, 2026 ] Blue Origin outlines return to flight logistics for its New Glenn rockets Moon Base
[ June 28, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 7.5-ton SiriusXM satellite as part of constellation refresh Falcon 9
[ June 28, 2026 ] SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base Falcon 9
[ June 24, 2026 ] West Coast Falcon 9 launch continues expansion of SpaceX’s Starlink network Falcon 9

Good weather predicted for NASA’s Mars rover launch Thursday

July 27, 2020 Stephen Clark

In the first official weather outlook the planned launch this week of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, meteorologists predict an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions to allow liftoff of an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Thursday.

China launches high-resolution mapping satellite

July 25, 2020 Stephen Clark

China launched a Long March 4B rocket Saturday with a high-resolution mapping satellite for the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources and two smaller spacecraft designed for astronomical observations and data relay services.

Virgin Orbit traces cause of LauncherOne engine failure to propellant line

July 25, 2020 Stephen Clark

An engine failure that cut short the first test flight of Virgin Orbit’s air-dropped LauncherOne rocket in May was caused by a faulty propellant feed line, the company’s CEO said this week.

U.S. officials say Russia tested a new anti-satellite weapon

July 23, 2020 Stephen Clark

U.S. and British government officials said Thursday they have evidence that Russia tested a space-based anti-satellite weapon, citing an event July 15 when analysts say a Russian military satellite launched a mysterious projectile into orbit at high speed.

Progress supply ship docks with space station after last-minute misalignment

July 23, 2020 Stephen Clark

Completing a fast-track, three-hour pursuit of the International Space Station, a Russian Progress supply ship overcame a last-minute misalignment and autonomously linked up with with orbiting research complex Thursday with nearly three tons of fuel, food and supplies.

Astra ships next small satellite launcher to Alaska spaceport

July 23, 2020 Stephen Clark

Astra’s next small satellite launcher has shipped to Kodiak Island in Alaska for final preparations ahead of a test flight planned in early August, five months after the company’s first orbital rocket faltered before getting off the ground.

China launches robotic mission to orbit, land, and drive on Mars

July 23, 2020 Stephen Clark

A heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket propelled China’s first Mars landing mission toward the Red Planet on Thursday after launching from a seaside spaceport on Hainan Island, the second of three international Mars probes expected to depart planet Earth this month.

Plutonium power source installed on NASA’s next Mars rover

July 22, 2020 Stephen Clark

The nuclear power generator for NASA’s Perseverance rover has been installed on the spacecraft atop an Atlas 5 rocket at Cape Canaveral, and mission managers gave a green light Wednesday to continue preparations for the rover’s July 30 launch toward Mars.

SpaceX shares video of first double fairing catch

July 21, 2020 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s two fast-maneuvering payload fairing recovery vessels were in the right place at the right time Monday to catch both halves of the nose shroud jettisoned by a Falcon 9 rocket climbing into orbit with South Korea’s Anasis 2 military communications satellite.

Soyuz rocket raised on Baikonur launch pad for space station resupply flight

July 21, 2020 Stephen Clark

A Russian Soyuz rocket rolled out to a launch pad Monday at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, ready for final inspections, checkouts and fueling before liftoff Thursday with a Progress supply ship bound for the International Space Station.