All articles tagged with #space launch
A veteran AP photographer explains using a sound-triggered remote camera setup (with a MIOPS device) and multiple angles around Cape Canaveral to capture Artemis II’s liftoff, including cameras inside the perimeter and wildlife reacting to the launch, in a scene that underscores the mission’s historical significance as NASA looks toward Artemis III.
NASA released infrared imagery and Nikon DSLR photos of the Artemis II liftoff, showing the SLS rocket and Orion against a darkened sky and capturing details like booster separation. The 10-day lunar flyby mission lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026 from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, carrying crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The launch used a large water-deluge system to manage heat, with exhaust temperatures around 6,000°F.
Firefly Aerospace successfully launched Alpha Flight 7 from Vandenberg, completed orbital insertion, and validated Alpha Block II upgrades—including a new in‑house avionics suite and enhanced thermal protection—with a stage‑two engine relight and delivery of a Lockheed Martin demonstrator payload, setting the stage for Flight 8’s full Block II upgrade (longer airframe, consolidated avionics, and stronger carbon-composite structures).
Europe's heavy-lift Ariane 64 launched from Kourou, delivering 32 Amazon Leo satellites to a ~465 km orbit, marking a milestone for Europe’s launch capabilities and accelerating Amazon's plan to deploy a ~3,200-satellite constellation to compete with SpaceX's Starlink.
Space Launch Delta 30 at Vandenberg SFB has issued an RFI to attract US launch providers interested in developing heavy and super-heavy launch capabilities at SLC-14, aiming to support larger military satellites and enhance space resilience.
Iran launched three Earth-observation satellites into space using a Russian Soyuz rocket as part of a larger rideshare mission from Siberia, which included Russian, UAE, and other international satellites, totaling 52 satellites launched.
Tory Bruno, former ULA CEO, has joined Blue Origin as president of its newly formed National Security Group, bringing extensive experience in space launch and defense systems to help Blue Origin compete for national security satellite launches and expand its role in space defense.
China's second attempt to recover and reuse the Long March 12A rocket failed at the first stage during its maiden flight, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop domestic reusable rocket technology to compete with SpaceX and lower launch costs.
Tory Bruno resigned as President and CEO of United Launch Alliance after nearly 12 years, during which he led the company through significant milestones including the Vulcan rocket's debut; John Elbon has been appointed interim CEO as ULA searches for a permanent replacement.
Rocket Lab's stock soared 9.5% after successfully launching a mission for the U.S. Space Force ahead of schedule, demonstrating its reliability in national security launches. Despite recent volatility and profit-taking after a 141% year-to-date increase, the company's strong performance and technological achievements suggest potential for continued growth, though the stock remains below its 52-week high.
The Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched two EU Galileo satellites from French Guiana, marking a significant step in Europe's space independence by expanding its satellite constellation and reducing reliance on US and Russian launch services.
Europe's Ariane 6 rocket is set to launch its first pair of Galileo navigation satellites, marking a significant milestone for the vehicle's role in Europe's space capabilities, reducing reliance on external launch providers like SpaceX and Russia.
China's first reusable rocket, Zhuque-3, successfully reached orbit but failed to recover its first stage after crashing near the recovery site, leaving the US as the only country with successful orbital booster recovery.
Firefly Aerospace reported strong Q3 sales exceeding expectations and projects significant growth by 2025, with its shares rising after the announcement, though it remains less valued than Rocket Lab despite similar growth prospects and a larger payload capacity with its Alpha rocket.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket will launch NASA's ESCAPADE mission to study Mars' atmosphere, with the launch live-streamed on Nov. 9; the mission involves two probes that will orbit Earth and Mars to gather critical data about the Red Planet's environment.