return to flight – Spaceflight Now

May 16, 2026

Breaking News

[ May 15, 2026 ] NASA, SpaceX launch Dragon mission with 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the space station Falcon 9
[ May 14, 2026 ] ULA confirms successful solid rocket booster test as Vulcan anomaly investigation continues News
[ May 12, 2026 ] SpaceX targets May 19 for debut of Starship Version 3, Launch Pad 2 Mission Reports
[ May 12, 2026 ] For a second time, poor weather scrubs Cargo Dragon mission launch to the space station Falcon 9
[ May 11, 2026 ] SpaceX launches intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office Falcon 9

SpaceX launches return to flight Falcon 9 mission following brief stand down

February 7, 2026 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX halted launches for less than a week following an in-flight anomaly. Liftoff of the Starlink 17-33 mission happened at 12:58:09 p.m. PST (3:58:09 p.m. EST / 2058:09 UTC).

SpaceX completes Falcon 9 static fire test amid return to flight campaign

July 25, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

An upper stage anomaly during the Starlink 9-3 mission on July 11 grounded the Falcon 9 rocket. The FAA is evaluating SpaceX’s request for a public safety determination to resume launches.

Rocket Lab successfully completes return-to-flight Electron launch

December 14, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

Rocket Lab launched its first flight of the Electron rocket since a failure on Sept. 19. The 42nd mission for the small-satellite launcher lifted off on Dec. 15 from New Zealand 1705 NZDT (0405 UTC or 11:05 p.m. EST).