July 19, 2025
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Breaking News
  • [ July 18, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites into polar orbit on Falcon 9 rocket from California Falcon 9
  • [ July 15, 2025 ] SpaceX launches first of three missions for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation Falcon 9
  • [ July 15, 2025 ] SpaceX launches 26 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB Falcon 9
  • [ July 14, 2025 ] NASA, SpaceX target July 31 for Crew-11 launch to the ISS Falcon 9
  • [ July 12, 2025 ] SpaceX launches Israeli satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Falcon 9
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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

  • SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites into polar orbit on Falcon 9 rocket from California
    July 18, 2025
  • SpaceX launches first of three missions for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation
    July 15, 2025
  • SpaceX launches 26 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
    July 15, 2025
  • NASA, SpaceX target July 31 for Crew-11 launch to the ISS
    July 14, 2025
  • SpaceX launches Israeli satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
    July 12, 2025
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  • Live
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