All articles tagged with #rockets
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launched NASA's Roman Space Telescope on Aug. 30 and its two boosters landed back on Earth at Landing Zones 2 and 40, with Space.com photographer Chelsea Gohd capturing one landing. The Roman Space Telescope is NASA's next observatory, featuring a coronagraph for direct imaging of exoplanets and a wide-field instrument, designed to work with Hubble and JWST, and first images are expected next year.
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 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.
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.
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.
Round 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft: Hawks land UNC center Henri Veesaar with No. 52 from the Clippers; Clippers send No. 55 (Nick Martinelli) to Houston and No. 57 (Narcisse Ngoy) to Atlanta plus cash; Rockets receive cash from LAC; the move comes as Atlanta rebuilds after Trae Young's deadline deal.
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.
Houston Rockets reveal a brand refresh centered on red and yellow, reviving classic logos with space-inspired updates (including the Dunkstronaut) and launching three uniforms—Association (white), Icon (red), and Statement (black)—featuring new wordmarks and rocket motifs that nod to both San Diego and Houston histories.
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 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 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.
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.
Rockets, led by Jabari Smith Jr. and a young core, look to force a Game 7 in Game 6 in Houston with Durant doubtful, while the Lakers must rebound from a cold 3-point stretch and lean on LeBron James’s closeout pedigree.
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.
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.