Launches & Spacecraft

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The Hera spacecraft is seen after separating from its Falcon 9 rocket with a stunning crescent Earth in the background after launch on Oct. 7, 2024.

SpaceX rocket launches Europe's Hera planetary defense probe to visit asteroid smacked by NASA

By Elizabeth Howell published

Hera launched Oct. 7 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, on a mission to study the asteroid that NASA's DART spacecraft smashed into in September 2022.

Launches & Spacecraft
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the European Space Agency's Hera asteroid mission to the binary asteroids Didymos and Dimorphos from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Oct. 7, 2024.

SpaceX will launch Europe's Hera asteroid probe today: Watch it live

By Samantha Mathewson last updated

SpaceX will launch Europe's Hera spacecraft on Monday (Oct. 7) toward the asteroid Dimorphos for a post-impact evaluation, and you can watch the liftoff live.

Launches & Spacecraft
a rocket launch into a early morning sky colored pink and purple.

ULA's new Vulcan Centaur rocket launches on 2nd test flight (video)

By Mike Wall published

United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket just launched on its second-ever mission, a key test flight that keeps it on track for certification by the U.S. Space Force.

Launches & Spacecraft
aerial view of a red and white rocket on the launch pad, with greenery and the ocean in the background

How to watch ULA's 2nd-ever Vulcan Centaur rocket launch on Oct. 4

By Samantha Mathewson published

United Launch Alliance is set to launch the second test flight of its Vulcan Centaur rocket on Friday morning (Oct. 4), and you can watch the action live online.

Launches & Spacecraft
a white and red rocket stands on the launch pad under blue skies

ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket is 'go' for 2nd-ever launch on Oct. 4

By Mike Wall published

United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket is 'go' for its second-ever liftoff, a test flight scheduled to launch on Friday morning (Oct. 4).

Launches & Spacecraft
a silver, white and red rocket stands inside a large hangar behind a pond

ULA rolls Vulcan Centaur rocket to pad ahead of 2nd-ever launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

United Launch Alliance has rolled its second Vulcan Centaur rocket out to the pad ahead of launch, which is scheduled to take place on Friday (Oct. 4).

Launches & Spacecraft
A black and white SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fires its engines in a test on a launch pad for Crew-9

SpaceX, NASA 'go' for 1st astronaut launch to ISS from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station pad

By Tariq Malik published

NASA and SpaceX cleared their Crew-9 astronaut flight to the International Space Station for launch, a Sept. 28 liftoff that will help return two Boeing Starliner astronauts home.

Launches & Spacecraft
spectators watch a white rocket launch into a blue sky from a ship anchored at sea, not far offshore

Chinese rocket launches 8 satellites to orbit from ship at sea (video, photos)

By Mike Wall published

A Chinese Smart Dragon-3 rocket launched from a sea-based platform on Sept. 23, carrying eight remote-sensing satellites to orbit.

Launches & Spacecraft
CAS Space's Kinetica-1 solid rocket lifts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Sept. 24.

China's CAS Space launches 5 satellites with its 4th rocket (video)

By Andrew Jones published

Commercial Chinese rocket maker CAS Space completed its fourth solid rocket launch on Tuesday (Sept. 24), sending five satellites to orbit.

Launches & Spacecraft
a yellow and white rocket launches into a blue sky

Japan launches spy satellite on penultimate mission of H-2A rocket

By Mike Wall published

Japan launched the IGS-Radar 8 spy satellite early Thursday morning (Sept. 26), on the second-to-last mission of the nation's venerable H-2A rocket.

Launches & Spacecraft
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