Tag

Rockets

All articles tagged with #rockets

Ukraine Targets Roscosmos' Core Rocket Factory, Threatening Russia's Space Launches
space-and-spaceflight7 days ago

Ukraine Targets Roscosmos' Core Rocket Factory, Threatening Russia's Space Launches

A Ukrainian missile strike hit the Progress Rocket Space Center in Russia’s Samara region, a hub that builds Soyuz-2 rockets and underpins Roscosmos’ launch cadence for ISS transport, military satellites, and Earth observation. Zelenskyy said Flamingo missiles were used, and imagery suggests Building 106A (a clean-room avionics facility) may have been damaged. If confirmed, production delays could slow launches through 2027–2030, compounding Roscosmos’ funding and international-isolation challenges and potentially denting Russia’s space ambitions relative to the U.S. and China.

SpaceX Stock Slips as Stoke Space Emerges as a Reusable-Rocket Rival
business11 days ago

SpaceX Stock Slips as Stoke Space Emerges as a Reusable-Rocket Rival

SpaceX stock fell in early trading after the next stock unlock while Bloomberg reports Stoke Space Technologies is raising about $1 billion to build a fully reusable rocket to compete with SpaceX, which still commands a dominant share of launches. The stock has risen about 22% since the first unlock but remains down since its debut, as investors weigh the potential impact of new competition in the aerospace sector.

California Night Sky Could Glow with a Space Jellyfish from Starlink Launch
science13 days ago

California Night Sky Could Glow with a Space Jellyfish from Starlink Launch

Astronomy fans in California may glimpse a “space jellyfish”—glowing, jellyfish-shaped plumes formed as SpaceX’s Starlink rocket emits exhaust during twilight. Starlink 17-49 is slated for 8:00 PM PDT, with the plume’s glow created as sunlight hits ice crystals in the exhaust, producing colors that range from white to iridescent. Visibility depends on timing and local sky brightness.

NASA taps Rocket Lab for three Electron launches as SpaceX marks 1,000th Merlin engine
technology1 month ago

NASA taps Rocket Lab for three Electron launches as SpaceX marks 1,000th Merlin engine

Rocket Report mid-year recap: NASA awards Rocket Lab three dedicated Electron launches for 2027 (including PolSIR and TSIS-2); SpaceX hits a milestone with the 1,000th Merlin 1D engine amid a rare SXM-11 GEO mission; other items include India’s Vikram-1 test window, NASA delivering Rosalind Franklin braking engines, Isar Aerospace’s German launch with Planet satellites, Atlas V nearing its final flight as Vulcan approaches readiness, and Blue Origin pad cleanup ahead of return to flight; next launches slated for early July.

Robotic relay to rescue Swift space telescope via Pegasus XL boost
space-exploration2 months ago

Robotic relay to rescue Swift space telescope via Pegasus XL boost

NASA is pursuing a bold robotic mission to rescue the Swift Observatory by using Katalyst Space's LINK servicing satellite to rendezvous with Swift in orbit and boost it back to a healthy altitude, encapsulated inside Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL air-launched rocket from Wallops Flight Facility; the mission involves four vehicles—the Stargazer mothership, Pegasus XL, LINK, and Swift—and aims to counter Swift's orbital decay to extend the telescope's gamma-ray burst observations, with encapsulation prepped around June 8, 2026.

China’s Long March 12B makes a surprise debut, echoing Falcon 9 design
space2 months ago

China’s Long March 12B makes a surprise debut, echoing Falcon 9 design

China launched its first flight of the Long March 12B rocket from the Jiuquan launch center, sending two satellites for the Qianfan megaconstellation into low Earth orbit. The two-stage, partially reusable booster resembled SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in concept, but the mission did not attempt a booster landing, and the launch occurred without advance airspace notices to the public.

SpaceX's Starship V3 becomes the tallest rocket yet, edging toward orbital refueling
technology3 months ago

SpaceX's Starship V3 becomes the tallest rocket yet, edging toward orbital refueling

SpaceX stacked Starship Version 3 on its Starbase pad, making it the tallest rocket to date. The upgrade features higher-thrust Raptor 3 engines, a new reusable top structure, and three grid fins, positioning Starship for in-orbit refueling tests ahead of Artemis Moon missions. A tentative May 19 launch date hinges on final prep and FAA approval, with operations moving to a new pad and a self-destruct system to be installed.

LeBron leads Lakers past Rockets, sets West semifinal vs Thunder
2026-nba-playoffs-west-first-round3 months ago

LeBron leads Lakers past Rockets, sets West semifinal vs Thunder

LeBron James posted 28 points as the Lakers closed out the Rockets in Game 6 (98-78), riding a sharp 3-point attack and strong defense to reach the West semifinals against top-seeded Oklahoma City, with JJ Redick earning his first playoff series win and L.A. getting a boost from Austin Reaves’ return and improved ball security.

Falcon Heavy Returns as Soyuz-5 Debuts and Amazon Leo Expands
space3 months ago

Falcon Heavy Returns as Soyuz-5 Debuts and Amazon Leo Expands

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy roars back with a ViaSat-3 mission, capping a week that also saw Atlas V (29 satellites) and Ariane 6 (32 satellites) deploy 61 more Amazon Leo satellites; Russia finally launches its long-awaited Soyuz-5, a Zenit successor, in a suborbital test to mark its first flight and a new era for Russian heavy lift. The U.S. FAA moves to collect commercial launch and reentry fees, Artemis III core stage lands at Kennedy Space Center for stacking, and SpaceStarship remains quiet ahead of a projected May test flight amid ongoing NASA timelines; Blue Origin and other programs also feature in the busy launch cadence.

Redick presses Lakers to clean up turnovers as they head to Game 6
sports3 months ago

Redick presses Lakers to clean up turnovers as they head to Game 6

After a 99-93 Game 5 loss to the Rockets, Lakers coach JJ Redick urged focus on reducing turnovers and fixing defensive misreads, saying the team will review substitution patterns and game plan for a must-win Game 6 in Houston. He noted Houston shot well and that better execution on drives and threes is needed. LeBron James’ streak of 16 straight home playoff wins was snapped in this clinching bid, and Rockets star Durant remains day-to-day with a left ankle bone bruise that could sideline him for weeks as Houston heads into Game 6.

Durant Out for Game 6 as Rockets Chase Historic Comeback
sports3 months ago

Durant Out for Game 6 as Rockets Chase Historic Comeback

Kevin Durant will not play in Game 6 in Houston due to a bone bruise in his left ankle, keeping him out for at least five of six games in the series and likely ruling out a potential Game 7 in Los Angeles. The Rockets won Game 5 on the road without him, getting impactful play from Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun as their defense and half‑court offense improved. Lakers guard Austin Reaves returned with 22 points and six assists off the bench but faded late. Houston still faces a daunting path to history as they attempt to rally from 0‑3, with Durant’s status hanging over the outcome.

Durant Out, Lakers Push to Close Out Rockets in Game 6
sports-nba3 months ago

Durant Out, Lakers Push to Close Out Rockets in Game 6

Los Angeles heads to Houston with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to finish the Rockets in Game 6, despite Kevin Durant being ruled out for Houston. Austin Reaves returns with 22 points in Game 5 to bolster the Lakers’ depth, but Houston has won two straight elimination games and is favored at home, keeping the series competitive. The Lakers also face uncertainty around Luka Dončić’s status for a potential second-round matchup, adding urgency to closing out the series quickly.