March 9, 2026
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Breaking News
  • [ March 7, 2026 ] NASA contract confirms selection of ULA’s Centaur 5 as new upper stage for the SLS rocket Artemis
  • [ March 6, 2026 ] SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB Sunday Falcon 9
  • [ March 5, 2026 ] Spanish launch startup PLD Space raises $209 million to scale its rocket production Miura 5
  • [ March 3, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 600th Starlink satellite of 2026 during predawn Falcon 9 rocket flight from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9
  • [ March 1, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9

Earth Return Orbiter

Mission Reports

NASA narrows design for rocket to launch samples off of Mars

April 20, 2020 Stephen Clark

After years of studies, test-firings and a survey of U.S. industry in preparation for launch of a Mars Sample Return mission in 2026, NASA has settled on a solid-fueled design for a miniature rocket with a first-of-its-kind purpose: Launching a payload from Mars for a trip back to Earth.

News

NASA, ESA officials seek formal approvals for Mars sample return mission

September 16, 2019 Stephen Clark

After crystallizing a partnership to retrieve samples from the surface of Mars and return them to Earth, NASA and European Space Agency officials are seeking government funding commitments before the end of this year to carry out a multibillion-dollar robotic mission that could depart Earth with a pair of rocket launches as soon as 2026.

News Headlines

  • NASA contract confirms selection of ULA’s Centaur 5 as new upper stage for the SLS rocket
    March 7, 2026
  • SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB Sunday
    March 6, 2026
  • Spanish launch startup PLD Space raises $209 million to scale its rocket production
    March 5, 2026
  • SpaceX launches 600th Starlink satellite of 2026 during predawn Falcon 9 rocket flight from Cape Canaveral
    March 3, 2026
  • SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
    March 1, 2026
  • SpaceX launches 25 Starlink Satellites from the West Coast
    March 1, 2026
  • NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis moon program: “We’ve got to get back to basics”
    February 27, 2026
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral with 29 Starlink satellites
    February 27, 2026
  • SLS rocket hauled back to VAB for repairs
    February 25, 2026
  • SpaceX launches 500th Starlink satellite in 2026 during Wednesday Falcon 9 flight
    February 25, 2026
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  • Live
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